What Becomes Of Us
Chapter 1
Tokyo, Japan - Juban District
Present = Darien
Briiiiiiiiin Briiiiing...Briiiiiiiing Briiiiiiiiiing... the sound of the telephone ringing abruptly woke me up from my nightmare.
"Stupid telephone", I muttered angrily to myself. I had no right to call the telephone stupid...telephones just don't call on their own. It's the person who is calling that should be called stupid. But why would you call someone who woke you up from a nightmare stupid? It's because it was a nightmare that I wanted to have no matter how painful it was. It was my only link to her...it has been my only link in the past 8 years since she disappeared so the nightmares are welcome and at the same time unwelcome.
"Oh well I am awake now and if I don't pick up the phone it might fricking wake up the neighbors." I said out loud to no one. I dragged myself from my bed and the remaining essences of the dream and went to pick up the phone with the thought that the person on the other line is going to get it.
"Hello" I said sharply. There was a brief silence and then a hesitant female voice came from the other end line.
*Change of Pov to third person*
"...um…hi Darien...caught you at a bad time didn't I?" the female voice replied.
"REI" Darien exclaimed incredulously. "Its 1 fricking AM and I have to go to work at 5 o'clock in the morning." he shouted. Really, he thought to himself...I really have no reason to be screaming at her. But as he said this, a small part of his mind contradicted him severely, yes you do...it was her fault you lost the person most important to you 8 years ago. Shut up! He screamed at himself in his head...really who would believe that the most prestigious medical doctor like me and also the number one bachelor in Japan will be arguing with my own self or pining over old lost love interest. I think the day anyone finds out will be the day I'm put in the asylum. His thoughts continued on in some seriously critical danger until Rei's voice broke in.
"Jeesh…I'm sorry to have woken you up ok. I just thought you might be awake..and...um...I was wondering ifyouwouldliketogoseeamoviewithme" she rushed the last part out.
"Speak up Rei, I can't here you and I'm losing my patience." Darien replied curtly.
She seems to sigh and repeated the question again.
"I was wondering if you would like to go see a movie with me tonight at about 8 or 9."
A heavy silence filled the room until Darien slammed the phone down on the cradle. It was by a miracle it didn't break. Darien was visibly shaken as he stood there. The phone started ringing again but this time he didn't pick up. It went to his answering machine and Rei's voice came on.
"Darien please pick up the phone...Darn it Darien! Serena has been gone for 8 years. I've been here right besides you all this time so why can't you look at me. She is gone Darien and she is never coming back. GONE GONE GONE" She recited it like a mantra.
"Shut up...shut up…She is not gone she will come back! She will come back to me!" In anger he unplugged the phone and threw it across the room. By this time his breathing was as heavy as if he had just finished running a marathon. In silent tears he walked out the room and onto his veranda and buried his head in his hands and cried for the very first time in 6 years.
After about an hour of bone wrenching tears, he looked up to the silver shining moon and stretched his hands to it as if touching the moon will bring Serena Back.
Suddenly memories of the last time he'd seen her flashed back in his mind.
- Flash Back - Crown Arcade -
A group of college and high school students were gathered around one table. They were all arguing against a girl name Serena who wasn't even present. As they gave Darien various ways to keep Serena under control, what stood out the most was to have Darien and Serena Break up. Darien, who had always made his own decisions, for the very first time ignored the warning his conscience was giving him and agreed that he could not be with an irresponsible girl and that it would ruin his image. The minute he agreed to break up with Serena...she walked in and headed toward his table. A usual routine between them. If he had truly looked at her…he would have seen the pain in her eyes as well as the purple blotches under her eyes. If he had looked closely he would have seen the dried blood on her back and legs, he would have seen how she stumbled when she walked and how she was barely able to stand on her own. But he was blinded with the need to impress his friends that he made the biggest mistake of his life. A mistake he would realize only after she was gone and there was nothing he could do.
- End of Flash back -
Tokyo, Japan - Juban District
Present (same night) = Rei
"How dare he hangs up on me...urrrr...I can't believe he is still pining over that spineless traitor." Rei fumed. She had hoped that Darien would finally come out of his shell and take her out on a date. She had been persistent about her intentions of being with him for 8 years but it seems that the more time passes the more Darien craves for Serena and no amount of spells she had cast on him had ever worked. I have been your constant companion ever since Serena left but you still refuses to seen me as more than a friend! Rei thought sadly. She was madly and deeply in love with Darien. She was the one he was going out with until they realized that Serena was the missing moon princess. Their past history brought them back together and Rei was left out cold. But I won't be forgotten by you Darien! I will make you mine no matter what I have to do. Serena doesn't deserve you, she never did. She can never give you what I can give you. Rei thought vehemently. She crossed the room and walked toward the back of door where the sacred fire was. As she neared however, the sacred fire roared into life and she quickly ran to it.
"Yes...oh yes...finally its working right." Rei shouted gleefully. Finally you're working for me. It must be because you agree that I deserve Darien. Rei thought smugly. 8 years ago after Serena disappeared, I used the sacred fire to try and find her whereabouts but it showed me the death of Serena instead so that's how I know, Serena died 8 years ago. Rei remembered.
"Darien when will you accept and believe the truth of my words. Serena died 8 years ago...she is no more. The sacred fire never lies." Rei said. However as she got closer to the fire, it roared back to life as if to devour her. The anger vibrated from the sacred fire was none like she had ever seen. She quickly backed away from the room and ran to find her grandfather, the once head priest of the temple before it was handed down to her.
"Grandpa...Grandpa...GRANDPA, where are you." Rei called out frantically as she moved toward her grandpa's room. An old bald but energetic man who's height was up to Rei's waist dashed out from the corner to meet Rei.
"Rei what is the matter." Grandpa Hino asked in a panic. He was worried that his granddaughter was hurt so he ran fast on his short legs.
"Grandpa, the fire...the sacred fire roared to life and it looked like it wanted to devour me or anything in sight." Rei said fearfully. Grandpa placed his hands on her waist and steered her back toward the sacred fire. The Sacred Fire...hurt my granddaughter, its master? That's impossible. Besides it hasn't work for the past 8 years so why would it suddenly start working and try to hurt Rei. Grandpa thought. When they reached the sacred room, there was nothing out of place. Everything was calm and peaceful as it had been for the past 8 years. Maybe the stress and disappointment of not being able to use the fire for so long is finally setting in on Rei. Grandpa Hino thought sadly. He didn't need to say it aloud for Rei to know what he was thinking.
Indignant, Rei stamped her foot on the ground and barked sharply, "Do you think I made it up."
"Rei dear, it is just hard to believe that the fire will suddenly start working and worse, that it would try to hurt you." Grandpa Hino said remorsefully.
So he thinks I am out of my mind. Rei was very hurt. In the quiet silence that followed, Rei finally cried for the second time in 8 years. Cried for the powers of divinity she lost 8 years ago but not for the friend she was partially responsible for killing.
Manhattan, New York
Present (same night) = Serenity
Serenity stared at the silver moon and bathed in its warm embrace.
Her thoughts from earlier before the show had started had left her in a sour and messed up mood. Why, she wondered, after all these years are my memories of that time finally acting up. For the past 8 years I have worked really hard to get to where I am now. I have also worked really hard to forget my past but it seems impossible.
Sighing, she went back inside her apartment and locked her glass doors. Her apartment was big and very warm. It was beautifully decorated with pictures she had drew herself of nature. Like the seas on stormy days, the sunset after rain and so on and so fort. She had a couple of pictures of herself, her 'NEW' family, Leoti, Kyle, Beryl and Nehelaniah, and of her 2 guardian cats, Minerva and Merlin. She had big cushioned couches and 3 love seats in a semi-Circular formation. A sound system that would cost millions and a whole side of the apartment dedicated to movies and CD's arranged in alphabetical order. Branching from the living room was a hall dedicated to her photoshots. There were a total of 7 rooms all together and a big Kitchen and also a big bathroom. The two cats shared one room and each other person among the 'NEW' family had a room to themselves. The extra room was used as Serenity's home art studio.
Bored, she sat on one of the love seat and turned on the TV but it soon became apparent that her mind was anywhere but on the random station she had turned to. I wonder how they are doing. No matter how much I tell myself not to worry about them I still do. Hating herself for being so sentimental, she finally focused her mind onto the news Channel she had randomly turned to and wished she had not paid attention at all. There, standing before her on the news was her ex-best friend, Mina. She was doing an interview about her newest TV drama and she looked as happy as if life had always been good to her. Turning the TV off and rushing to the sink in the bathroom, she threw up all she had eaten. It felt like she couldn't breathe and struggled to let in as much air as she could take.
Suddenly warm hands embraced her from behind and other hands were all over her, trying to help her. Some hands were softly pounding on her back to give way for air to enter her lungs. A few minutes later she turned to look at the worried faces of all her new family and began to cry. They all went and embraced her. In their warm embrace the only thoughts that passed through her head were; will Mina be as happy as she is now if she were to learn that Serena died 8 years ago. What would Darien do and how will the others take it. How will Serena's parents react to the news that their daughter died 8 years ago because of all of them? Will they all turn a blind eye or will they finally realized the mistake they made 8 years ago!
Tokyo, Japan - Juban District
Present (a week later on Saturday night) = Setsuna
Many people think I am cold because of my empty stares and cold eyes, but if they were to get to know me, they would see just how fragile I really am. What has kept me alive all this time? Was I too blind or did I just presume too much? Did I force the future I want to happen on the shoulders of one small frail girl and not help her to carry it through? These are the questions that have occupied my mind since 8 years ago. Since that fateful day she disappeared and it stills sit unanswered as I sit on my veranda watching the waning moon. This loneliness I feel, does it have to do with Serena or Rini, Serena's spitting image. Oh God…someone help me.
As Setsuna sat there crying, a girl with shoulder length purplish black hair came up to her and embraced her.
"Why are you crying mom?" the girl asked. 'Mom' didn't react nor answer for a few minutes and just let the warm embracement surround her.
"Oh Hotaru…what did I do so wrong. It's my fault for what happened 8 years ago. Because of me, Serena died and so did her daughter Rini." Setsuna sobbed.
"It is not your fault at all mom…besides Serena is not dead." Hotaru said heatedly. She had never seen her "mom" cry or lose control like this and frankly it scared her silly.
"Yes she is Hotaru, the sacred fire showed Rei Serena's death. And everyone knows that the sacred Fire doesn't lie. She is dead Hotaru. Gone forever and it's my entire fault, it's all my f…."
"Enough" Hotaru shouted, enraged. "How can you of all people believe that Serena is dead? If she died I would have felt her in death but I haven't felt her soul at all!" Hotaru exclaimed. She was near tears herself.
"But Hotaru, since the day the sacred fire showed Rei Serena's death, you haven't been able to feel anyone die though countless people have died. All your defensive powers are inactive and I haven't been able to see the future or the past to know just how Serena died. You, I and Rei have all lost our defensive powers and even Michelle's mirror also showed Serena's death. WHAT MORE PROOF DO YOU NEED TO KNOW THAT SHE IS GONE FOR GOOD!?" Setsuna raved in anger and sorrow.
To this Hotaru had no answer. It was true she hadn't been able to feel people's souls as they die ever since she herself felt Serena's soul passing. Nobody knew that she had felt Serena's soul but it was so much easier to pretend that she was alive than dead. I killed her. I could have helped her but I didn't. I killed my own mother. This was not the first time Hotaru had come to that realization…but unlike everyone else, Hotaru loved and still love Serena more than anyone, even more than Rini or the three women who raised her. Oh mama, please forgive me and come back to me. Hotaru cried silently.
As they both took comfort in each other's arms, a sudden light brought them out of their tight embrace. The light was golden in color and seemed to brighten everywhere for a minute before simmering down to reveal a young man with silver hair, a horn on his forehead and in white loosely shirt and pant with green shoulder pads sticking out.
"Helios" both Setsuna and Hotaru cried out in sync.
"We need to talk." Helios replied in very serious voice.
Tokyo, Japan - Juban District
Present (Sunday Early Morning) = Amy
"Amy dear, Hurry up or you will be late and remember that you have a lot more kids to take care of today." Mrs. Mizuno said as she walked out the door to her car.
"Ok I will" 'Amy' replied to the empty house. Work, work, work, that's all I've been doing for so long that I can scarcely remember a time when I went out with friends just for the fun of it. It's been so long but when I go out to play I can't help feel guilty for my sin against her 8 years ago. For betraying the best and most precious friend I had ever had. Amy shook her head so that memories so long buried would not resurface. She knew that if she sat still her mind would wonder over what she wish to forget so she moved here and there, picking up things and putting on her work clothes.
"I wonder how Jayden is today. Yesterday was not a good day for him." Amy said to herself. Another attempt at closing her mind from the memories of the past that seems to haunt her like ghost.
"Mmmm….I love my job, working as a pediatrician is much more fun and rewarding than I suspected, especially when the children I take care of smiles at me afterward. Speaking of taking care of children, I have to help a 5 year old girl who has an organic disease today. I better get going" She rambled on. Amy Mizuno had graduated at the top of her class in all grade level from kindergarten all the way through university and medical school and she was also one of the youngest and richest Pediatricians alive so it was a wonder she still lived with her mother in their big 2 story house and even more of a wonder why she was still single.
As she grabbed her car keys and hand bag, the shrill of the house phone caught her attention so she rushed to get it. Looking at the ID, she felt disappointed. She had been hoping that the mysterious person who had called her 8 years ago to tell her that Serena had died was calling again and this time with news of Serena's safety and whereabouts. But the phone call was from Rei and although she hadn't talk much to Rei since Serena's disappearance, she thought of not picking it up. However she realized that if anyone would have news concerning Serena it would be Rei and she was afraid to miss any news concerning her missing friend so she picked up the phone.
"Good morning Hino. What can I do for you?" She asked politely. It was very hard for her to be so polite with Rei. To Amy, Rei was responsible for what happened 8 years ago!
"Oh, hi can I talk to Amy please." Rei asked uncertainly.
"This is she speaking." Amy replied with a roll of her eyes. Can't she even recognize my voice? She thought.
"Oh hi Amy, sorry I didn't recognize your voice for a moment there…hehe…" Rei said nervously.
"It's alright; we haven't talk in a while so it is expected. But what can I do for you today, I am on my way to work so can you get straight to the point please?" Amy said evenly at the same time managing to roll her eyes.
"Oh ok then. Setsuna called me…there is to be a meeting tonight and EVERYBODY is to be there." Rei replied with an emphasis on everybody because she knew that Amy will try to get out of the meeting as she has successful been doing for the past 7 and a half years.
"I am sorry Hino; I won't be able to attend. Today I have more kids to take care of and I am treating a child with an organic disease so it will be impossible to try and hurry through the procedure." Amy replied curtly. She had told them to count her out of their meetings ever since Serena disappeared but they never listened and always call to bother her. The only reason she hadn't blocked their numbers was because she was afraid to miss news about Serena.
"Amy I know that you're busy with your personal life and so are we but this meeting is important so can't you just fricking leave your job for this. And it's not like you are the only pediatrician in the whole damn hospital!" Rei said in an annoyed voice. Amy was really getting on her nerves with her don't include me crap.
"Well excuse me for having a job I like doing and for saving kids' lives. Go to hell Hino, I am not coming." Amy slammed the phone down and rushed out of the house and into her car and drove off to the hospital. She was pissed off and the speed she was going was a testimony to it. In her anger she didn't realize that she was going over the speed limit until a cop stopped her with a ticket.
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