Hi, minna! I'm ba-ack. Okay, the AN's will be short. Just wanna tell you I don't own Sailor Moon--do we really have to keep writing these? We all know we don't own SM.

The Emerging of a Princess
Chapter One

	Serena walked quickly, but gracefully up to Raye's temple. She hoped that her guardian would not try to contact her in the middle of *this* meeting. She was trying to act like her true self, and spacing out like the Serena part of her was known (and expected) to do, would not help. 
	Raye looked up in surprise to see Serena walk up the steps with a grace that didn't fit in with Raye's image of Serena. "You're on time, for once, Meatball-head!" 
	Serena tried not to wince at the nickname. She hated that nickname for the royal hairstyle. If only Raye knew...or remembered, actually...
	Amy, Lita, and Mina walked up after that, Mina running in last. "Sorry, I'm late!" She said, and slid into her usual place, Raye's bed. Serena blocked her thoughts from her guardian. *Don't talk to me until I get home.*
	Serena watched as Raye seemed to take control of the group, as usual. Well, that was going to change...starting today.
	Serena cleared her throat. "I believe, Raye, that *I* am leader of the group." Everyone stared at her with wide eyes and open mouths. "Serena?" They squeaked. Serena nodded. "I am the leader of the Scouts, am I not? It's about time I started taking the responsibility for it." Everyone was still staring at Serena. Raye recovered first, with an insult, of course.
	"Okay, meatball-for-brains, take charge. I bet you can't last one meeting." Serena smiled graciously. "Thank you, Raye. Now, the first order of business. We have to decide if Tuxedo Mask is on our side or not. If he is working for the NegaVerse, we are in big trouble. But if he is working on his own, then we have two different enemies to focus on." Serena turned to Amy. "Do you think that your computer can get a lock on Tuxedo Mask?" Amy looked surprised. 
	"I...I don't know." She pulled out her mini data computer and started typing something in it. Serena then turned to Raye. "What about asking the Sacred Flame?" She asked. Raye looked thoughtful. "I tried one night, but I kept on getting interrupted. There was a small earthquake one time." 
	Serena looked intersted. "Amy, type in your computer the chances that Tuxedo Mask could be a sort of Scout of Earth. You notice how nobody can figure out our true idenities, right? Maybe the Earth is preventing anyone from figuring out Tuxedo Mask's real idenity."
	Amy started typing like mad. Serena wished she could help her, but that would make everyone *really* suspicious. She would have to wait to do some research on her own. Amy looked up then. "Well, until I factor all the research in, I won't be able to tell for sure. But I believe that you have a good idea, there, Serena." 
	Serena smiled. "Thanks, Amy. I just thought about that. Maybe I'm finally thinking like the leader I'm supposed to be, huh?" Everyone nodded. Just then, everyone heard screaming outside.
	"OH MY GOD! IT'S A MONSTER!" The girls looked at eachother. "Time to transform."
	"Moon Prisim Power!"
	"Mercury Power!"
	"Mars Power!"
	"Jupiter Power!"
	"Venus Power!"
	They all teleported to the site of the attack. Serena quickly asked her guardian something. 
	*May I use a new attack? At least just this once? I sense this one will be harder to defeat.* *I give my consent, Princess. Just...be wise in what you choose to fight with.*
	Serena grinned. "No problem." She said under her breath. She watched as her friends *tried* to weaken the creature. She sighed. She couldn't use many of her powers, but she knew of one that shouldn't make them *too* suspicous. 
	"Moon Guardian Stardust!" Well, she was a guardian of the Moon, so this was an attack she could use. She threw her tiara, and it spread the dust over the creature, which screamed out its last moments of life. Serena felt slightly bad, and then felt selfish that she felt bad. Just because she was the princess, didn't mean she had to be excluded from the horror around her. But she felt more of her innocence float away with the killing of the monster.
	
	All the Scouts turned to stare at Serena after the monster was defeated. "Wow, Sailor Moon, that was incredible! How did you do that?" Serena shrugged. "Uh, new powers, maybe?" Luna shook her head. "That attack seems very familiar, somehow." 
	*Damn* Serena thought. *Luna suspects something.* She put in a corner of her mind to think about for awhile. "Well, gotta book it. Mom'll go spastic if I'm late for dinner again." She waved at her friends, and grabbed Luna.

MEANWHILE, AT DARIEN'S APARTMENT

	"Tuxedo Mask...we will soon be together..." Darien looked up at the princess. "Tell me who you are." The princess laughed. "You will soon see. New aspects are emerging. Look for what comes to you." 
	Darien shot straight up in bed. "What the Hell did that mean?" 



	Serena act slowly at dinner. She had been doing so for the past week. Her family was finally starting to get used to it. After dinner was done, she went up to her room to study, and do her homework. She looked around to see if Luna was around, and was relieved to remember that she was going over to Mina's to spend some time with Artemis. She pulled out her books and was relieved to find out that this stuff wouldn't take her very long.., but she sure would surprise Ms. Haruna tomorrow. She thought about having no detention for once... it was a wonderful thought.
	"Princess Serenity is back." She murmered, and set to work on the homework for the night.

	"Serena Tsukino?" Ms. Haruna questioned, expecting Serena to be rushing in at the last moment. To her surprise, Serena was already in her seat, raising her hand. "Here!" She called, cheerful. Ms. Haruna blinked. "We'll, um...please pass in your homework." She was positive that she would get Serena with this one. She *never* turned in her homework. 
	She was surprised yet again when Serena was the *first* to turn hers in. *Something must've happened to her, poor child. That's why she's acting so attentive.* 
	She shrugged as she collected the homework, noting the looks on the students' faces. Apparently she wasn't the only one surprised by Serena's behavior. "Okay, class, I hope you all studied for the math test we have today. It makes up a good percentage of your grade, so don't fail it." She fixed Serena with a look. 

	Serena stared at the test. *I am so glad that my guardian decided to let me act like my old self again. I was tired of failing quizes and tests once I figured out who I was.*
	The test was a breeze. She knew that these tests were easy, but this one seemed simpler than usual. She breezed right through it. Classes during the Silver Millinium had been much more challenging. She knew Ms. Haruna would probaly flip when she saw Serena's grades...how much they'd skyrocket. *Serena, be cautious. Amy and Lita are in this class, too.*
	Serena shrugged. *I'll just tell them how hard Luna's been nagging me to study. And that it's about time I took responsibility for my actions. And become a good leader.*
	Her guardian sighed. *Just be careful, Princess. I fear for you, sometimes. Your spirit of Serenity is not read to full deal with the outside world yet.*
	Serena shuddered slightly. Without the Imperium Silver Crystal, her fragile other spirit would be crushed. The only other way it could survive was if she had her prince by her side.

	Ms. Haruna stared at the graded tests before her. She purposely made this test hard so that she could see how her students were doing. Her eyes were glued to Serena's test paper. She couldn't believe it. 
	115%. She had not only gotten every answer correct, she had gotten the bonus questions right, too! She began to wonder if Serena had cheated. She sighed, and ran a hand through her hair. "Serena, I'd like you to stay after class." Serena looked surprised, but nodded. 

	"You think I cheated?!" She asked, very much shocked. No one had ever accused her of cheating before. *I warned you, Serena. You're letting too much of Serenity out. In fact, if you don't find Endymion soon your life will be in danger.*
	Serena paled slightly under her guardian's words. "Fine, Ms. Haruna. I have never been accused of cheating before, and I never expected too. But just when I try harder, and do my very best, you accuse me of cheating!"
	Ms. Haruna sighed. "I'm sorry, Serena. Tomorrow I want you to stay after school to take a retest. Nobody else around. That way I can make sure you weren't cheating." Serena sighed, and bowed her head in defeat. "Fine, Ms. Haruna."

	Walking home from school, Serena had her eyes straight in front of her, but she was too busy talking to her guardian to pay much attention to anything else. 
	*So, you say if I don't find Endymion soon, then I can die?* It was a scary thought. *Yes, Princess. If you do not find Endymion, who returns your feelings for him, then you will most assuredly perish. Your souls were reborn to live together.*
	*I see...* Her thoughts trailed off when she walked right into somebody. "Oh, I'm so sorry!" She exclaimed. She looked up into a stormy pair of dark blue eyes...which somehow seemed familiar. "Oh, Darien!" The person who owned the eyes grinned. "I'm used to you knocking me over, Meatball head." 
	Serena tried to smile back, but she was remembering how Ms. Haruna accused her of cheating. her eyes filled up with tears, and she started to walk away. She didn't need Darien teasing her right now, she had too many other things to think about. 
	She felt a hand drop on her shoulder. "Serena? Are you okay?" Serena nodded quickly. "I don't believe it, Serena. You have tears in your eyes. And you're usually so happy. Did you fail another test?" 
	Serena started crying quietly. "No, Darien. I aced a test, and Ms. Haruna thought I cheated." 

DARIEN'S VIEW

	I couldn't believe it. Accuse Serena of cheating? Sure, the teacher must have been surprised to see Serena *pass* a test, much less ace one, but to accuse her of cheating?! I immediatly pulled her into my arms. "Shhh, Serena. Don't cry. It'll be okay." 
	She felt so right in my arms. Like she was molded for me. WAIT!!! This was Serena. But a very changed Serena. She seemed more mature. And if she aced a test, *smarter*, too. I tried to block that thought. I always thought Serena was smart...I just teased her because I wasn't sure how to act around her. 
	"Serena? Do you want me to treat you to a shake or something?" Serena shook her head. "No thanks, Darien. I've gotta get home and study for the retest. Ms. Haruna says it's the only way she'll *know* I didn't cheat."
	I was still angry over the fact that anyone would accuse Serena of cheating. I reluctantly let go of her, my body protesting the loss of her warmth. I watched her walk down the street carefully, without bumping into anybody. Strange...I was the only one she seemed to bump into...

SERENA'S VIEW
(The Next Day)

	I knew that this test was *supposed* to be harder, but it still wasn't very challenging to me. I doubt I could fail it if I tried. My Guardian was right. The Serenity aspect of me was coming out very quickly. It had good points, like being smarter and more graceful, among other things, but it also had its bad points...like seeing the Earth around me and wishing for the familiar landscape of the Moon. Looking for Endymion, and my soul almost ripping in two without him near me. Serenity was never a child of Earth...the only way she truly survived was with Endymion near by. I shook with terror at the thought of not finding him soon. I was already feeling the effects of what would happen to me without the people I needed to support me.
	Ms. Haruna looked up when she saw me coming to her desk with the test in hand. I'm sure she thought I had given up or faked the answers or something. She looked over the test, and her eyes got wide. She pointed at me. 
	"Sit down, Serena, until I finish grading this test." She said. I sat down gracefully in my seat, and started talking to my guardian again.
	*So, is there any chance of finding Endymion soon?* I asked. *Well, Endymion hasn't surfaced yet, but your energy levels are more stable around that Darien person you so depsise. I know that you do not like him, Princess, but if you want your health to stay good, then I suggest you find a way to stay near him. That way you'll be in the most safety.*
	*But Darien? He HATES me, Guardian. How can I be near a person who critisizes my faults all the time?* My guardian was silent for a moment. 
	*He didn't seem to hate you yesterday. In fact he seemed quite concerned for you. The more his concern grew, the more stable your energy signatures became. I think he could help you out alot, Serenity.*
	I sighed. She was right. Just then, Ms. Haruna motioned me up to her desk with an amazed look on her face. "Serena...you passed this test, too. With 120%. I don't know how you did it, but I now know you didn't cheat. I just expect you to pay attention in class and get grades like this *all* the time."
	I nodded. It wouldn't be hard to do. Now to find Darien.

	It wasn't too hard. I always ran into him. I knew he would be talking to Andrew in the arcade, today. I ran in the doors, and saw his head bent over something, and I was stirred by a sudden memory of Endymion.

~Flashback~

	Princess Serenity smiled as she looked at the young prince from Earth. She hadn't seen his face yet, but she stared at his thick blue-black hair. She wanted to run her hands through it.

~End Flashback~

	I shook my head. That was crazy. My guardian wasn't so sure, though. *You may have something here, Princess. Stay near Darien.* I nodded, and went over to where Darien was.
	"Hey, Darien!" I called. Darien turned around, very surprised. 
	"Serena? What are you doing here?" I grinned a little shyly. "I wanted you to know how my retest came out. I made a 120%, and Ms. Haruna does't think I cheated anymore!" The smile Darien gave me warmed me through. 
	"That's great, Meatball head! Why don't we celebrate?" I looked down at the ground. "I...thank you, Darien." I was feeling kinda weak, faintish. I saw two Darien's for a moment, then the arcade seemed to be in extra-sharp focus. I never remembered blacking out and Darien catching me.

~DARIEN'S VIEW~

	I saw Serena's eyes go slightly out of focus, and then she suddenly fell towards the ground. I dove to catch her, and she hung limply in my arms. I pushed her hair off of her face, and grimaced. 
	"Hey, Serena? Are you okay?" Serena wasn't responding, so I looked at Andrew. "Hey, buddy? I'm going to take Serena to my place for a bit. I don't know why she just passed out like that." Andrew shrugged.
	"Fine by me. I know how much you like the girl. Now if you would just admit it to her, you might actually get a relationship going there." 
	I turned red. "Maybe you're right, Andrew." I thanked him and managed to get Serena strapped in the seat of my car, and to my apartment quickly. Once we were inside, I put her on the couch and bathed her forehead with a cold washcloth. I felt a tingle of energy run from me to her, and I wondered about that. She looked up at me with huge blue eyes, and I smiled at her.
	"Hey, Serena. You feeling better?" She nodded, and smiled. "I guess my Guardian was right." She muttered to herself. I looked at her strangely. "What did you say, Serena?" I asked, intrested.

	Serena blushed and looked away. "Darien...I have a secret. And I trust you with it. I *have* to trust you with it." Now I was *very* curious.
	"What is it, Serena?" 
	
Do you think Serena will tell Darien that she's really a princess? Hmm, I can't wait to find out! ^_^ 
Tune in next week, or just read the next chapter--whatever comes first! Send any and ALL comments (good and bad) to JupiterLightning@yahoo.com