Finally a new chapter!! Blame me for the long wait! My lovely esteemed coauthor (sangocourage-many thanks!!) has been on top of things while I have been scurrying with schoolwork. I am hoping for the next chapter to be up within the next week. Please read and review! We appreciate your feedback! Thanks and I hope you enjoy the chapter. Sailor Violin
Thank you sangocourage!
DISCLAIMER: We DO NOT OWN SAILOR MOON.
Chapter 3
After six months of intense studies and exams, Xena and Darien finally graduated with honors. Darien was thrilled that his dear friend had decided to come back to Tokyo to live with him, Serena, and the scouts from now on. He had a feeling that things would be a bit rough for Xena for a while. Coming to a new land and having to prove herself worthy to the sailor scouts as both a friend and ally. At least he knew that Xena had both he and Serena firmly supporting her. Darien had a strong feeling that Lita also accepted Xena judging by the way she treated her on their visit to America.
The morning after the graduation ceremony and celebration, Darien made the reservations for the trip home. After finalizing plans with the airlines, Darien quickly phoned his friend Andrew to give him an update.
Crown
Parlor, after Andrew picks up Darien's phone call
"Hey
Darien! What's up? Your flight gets in tomorrow night at 7 'o
clock? Sweet, man. Of course you guys have a ride! By the way, we
received your packages yesterday. We put the books and possessions
you sent us in your apartment already."
"Thanks man." Darien
said gratefully.
"See you tomorrow night at 7, Gate 23?" Andrew asked.
"Yea; Talk to you later Andrew. Give Serena our love." Darien added.
"Will do; Bye" Andrew said hanging up his phone and walking over to a booth containing five girls and one boy. "That was Darien. He and Xena's flight gets in at seven tomorrow night."
"Yay! Darien's finally coming home!!" Serena burst hugging onto Seiya's arm. "I can't wait to see Xena again." She smiled.
"We should have a homecoming/ welcome home party for them!" Ami said enthusiastically. "I've been in the mood to bake a cake!!" Lita beamed.
"Can we have the party here Andrew?" Mina asked Andrew.
"Of course!" Andrew smiled. Rei wasn't too thrilled about Xena coming to live in Tokyo. However she wished to avoid conflict with her friends; so she sat there quietly stewing in her own frustrations.
The next morning in America
After breakfast Xena and Darien began to pack their few remaining things. Xena pulled a cat carrier out of her closet to which Gabrielle jumped off the bed. "I refuse to encase myself in that wretched cage like I am some animal." The cat said forcefully.
"You do realize you're a cat which by definition is an animal right?" Xena said sarcastically.
"I used to be an esteemed servant in Queen Serenity's castle..." Gabrielle went on to defend herself.
"Good for you Gabby. Now you have two options: get in the carrier and suck it up or you can stay back here and fend for yourself with no more special herring and tuna dinners..." Xena said pointedly.
Suddenly the guardian cat seemed to see things her charge's way as she trudged reluctantly into the carrier. How could she resist tuna and herring? They packed up the rental car and headed to the airport.
Once they got through customs and security, Darien and Xena finally got to sit and watch as the planes and people came and went. The only delay in check-in arose when the airline stated that all pet carriers were treated as luggage. At that announcement Gabrielle let out a hiss loud enough for only Xena and Darien to hear which resulted in the purchasing of an extra seat in the coach class to hold the unpleased feline.
Finally after what seemed like hours, a plane rolled into the loading area, allowing passengers disembark. After about twenty minutes an announcement came on the loudspeaker:
"Will passengers boarding flight 846 for Seattle, Washington en route to Tokyo, Japan please begin to approach the docking gates. Thank you for your patronage."
After boarding the plane, Xena and Darien quickly find their seats. Darien lets Xena have the aisle seat after she previously voiced concerns sitting next to the window on her very first plane ride. Finally it was time for take off. As the plane gains speed, both Xena and Darien are pushed slightly back into their seats from the force. Darien looks over to Xena and laughed at the silly expression on her face.
"G-Force!!" She mumbled softly, almost as if she were yelling it. Darien couldn't help but to chuckle.
"Excited about going to Tokyo?" Darien asks, grinning at her.
"Yup," Xena simply answers, giggling along with Darien.
Soon the plane levels out and they unbuckle their seatbelts; settling in for their long flight. After departure from the Seattle Airport, the plan continues en route for its direct flight to Japan. As he had been doing since Xena agreed to come home with him, Darien continued teaching Japanese to his friend. She was a quick study and grasped the language quite well. Several hours later the stewardess came down the aisle and shook Darien awake.
"Sir we'll be landing in Tokyo in a couple of minutes. Please wake your friend and fasten your seatbelts for landing." The stewardess instructed gently.
"Yes, I will. Thank you. Xena, wake up. We're going to be landing in Tokyo in a couple of minutes." Darien whispered; shaking Xena gently.
"Hmmm...wha?" Xena replied groggily sitting up.
"I said we'll be landing in Tokyo pretty soon. Do up your seatbelt. Look, we've already started the descent. Take a look out the window." Darien answered leaning back a little.
Xena leaned over amazed by the sight she saw. Tokyo seemed to be as big as any city back home. Soon they felt the wheels drop into place.
...Meanwhile...
Andrew had been kind enough to bring Mina, Lita, and Ami along to the airport while Serena went with Seiya.
"Come on you guys! That should be Darien and Xena's plane that just landed. I don't want them to think we forgot about them!" Serena said excitedly as they walked into the terminal.
"Relax Serena. The plane just landed and it will take at least fifteen minutes before they are even allowed to get off. " Lita reassured looking up at one of the monitors displaying the arrivals and departures. "They will be at Gate 35, arriving from Seattle, Washington."
Serena immediately took off in a dead run. Seiya had to yell "Turn left!" so at least the ditzy blonde knew where she was actually going. The girls had to chuckle as their meatball-headed friend stumbled a bit as she veered left. They all ran after their friend, hoping she wouldn't crash or trip into anything. Fortunately she didn't as they found her at the gate hopping up and down trying to spot Xena and/or Darien. Soon Serena saw them and waved frantically. Darien saw her and waved back.
"Darien, I think you better go to Serena first, before she hurts herself!" Xena giggled watching the blonde try not to klutz out.
"I think you may be right..." Darien chuckled and quickened his step. As soon as he stepped out into the terminal, Serena launched herself into his arms and the two were soon locked in a passionate kiss.
Xena came out with her violin and Gabrielle in hand, smiling at her new friends. Xena greeted them and turned to the couple, winking at Lita as she checked her watch.
"Man Lita, I think these two are trying to break world record for longest kiss. Oy you two need to come up for air sometime!" Xena scowled playfully. This brought a chuckle from all of them including Serena and Darien.
"Hi Xena! It's so nice to see you again! Welcome to Tokyo!" Serena exclaimed, embracing Xena in a tight hug.
"Thanks Serena. It's good to be here. As promised I have brought Darien back to you safe and sound." Xena said giving the hand sign for scouts honor. She turned to the group again. "Now I know the girls, but who are these two gentlemen?" Xena asked curiously. She thought the man with the long black ponytail was rather cute.
"This is Andrew. Andrew, this is Xena." Serena said introducing them.
"Nice to finally meet you." Xena said, giving a small bow, as Darien had taught her.
"And this is Seiya Kou." Serena replied motioning to Seiya. Serena had to giggle at the stunned look on Seiya's face.
"Snap out of it Seiya. You're staring." Darien teased nudging Seiya with his arm.
"Oh umm...Nice to meet you Xena." Seiya stammered. "Wow she's beautiful...and those eyes..."
"I'm that amazing am I?" Xena laughed batting her eyes playfully.
I just said that out loud didn't I? Seiya thought to himself; Opps?
Things were already heading off to a good start as the group headed to the car on the way home.
I hope you enjoyed the chapter. Don't forget to review!! Many thanks!!! Sailor Violin
