Thank you to my beta chimichurri for going over this story for me! You are the best!
I do not own sailor moon or its characters. Please enjoy,
King for a Queen
Chapter 3
Disbelief, anger…his blue eyes stared at the Senshi of death with pure hatred "what do you mean she's dying?"
"." Hotaru said slowly
Darien ignoring the sarcasm and continued with his questioning "Why? How?"
Rolling her eyes she walked down the bleachers and stood in front of the prince "Because of you"
"You established that already, but why is it my fault and if it is why haven't any of you contacted me?"
"She gave us orders not to"
"Then why tell me now huh? Why bring me here? Why interrupt my life, if she didn't want me here in the first place!"
"First off-Galaxia brought you here! She did it on her own accord; secondly, if it was up to me you'd be dead"
Darien started to laugh as he rubbed his temple "You know I'm really sick and tired of all the nastiness and the guilt from all of you! Do you not understand that I have a life? That SHE made the choice to divorce ME? I never wanted the god damn divorce; she was the one who gave me no choice!
So if you really want to take your fucking immature childish tantrum out on anyone take it out on her!" Darien yelled pointing at the school
Hotaru eyes flashed a dark purple, causing Darien to flinch, but for only a second before regaining his composure. "I'm not scared Hotaru! This is my planet and you WILL respect me while you're here"
Hotaru only laughed as she tried to calm her nerves "I think I understand why Alex sent you back"
"Why?"
"You'll have to figure that out for yourself" she said walking down the steps
"Why is she dying, Hotaru?"
Hotaru turned around to find desperation in Darien's eyes "please" he whispered
Shaking her head she turned back to the steps "because you abandoned her" and with that Hotaru continued on her way, leaving Darien to stew in his thoughts.
Darien sat down on a step; he shook his head as he let out a breath of frustration, he wasn't concerned about his life…no, even though it sounded that way. What he cared about was the life of his family, the life of his princess and lover. How could he have let things get so jumbled…work? Work was never as important as his family…how could he put something as trivial as a job, before his kids? His wife?
Before his marriage to Serena, he knew he was ready to become King of Crystal Tokyo…then Serena came up and told him that she didn't want to raise their children as royalty…she wanted a normal life for her kids, as long as she could give them. Never being able to deprive her anything, he had agreed. Going from a super hero to a normal everyday Joe, wasn't something Darien was use to.
Still that was no reason to turn his back on his kids…or his lover.
"Long day?" as if reading his mind said princess stood behind him "May I?" she asked pointing to the space next to him. Darien nodded as he stared at her
The two sat in silence for what seemed like eternity "Missing your family?" she asked sweetly
Darien nodded "More then I can say" he whispered looking to his hands
"Mamoru" Serena whispered causing Darien to look up at her "I'm sure that your family misses you as well, but they're always with you no matter where you are" Darien couldn't help but smile at her sweetness. "You're a part of our family now too" Serena looked back out at the foot ball field "Thank you for befriending DJ"
"Oh it's no problem at all" Darien said laying his head down in his lap and looking up at Serena "He's a great kid"
Serena only smiled not looking back at him "yea he is"
"He told me his father was supposed to come back…"
He watched as Serena's face flashed pain, before she shook it off "yes" She said simply "I don't know what Rini or DJ have told you, nor do I wish to know, but my husband isn't a bad man…he simply lost his way."
"What do you mean?" Darien felt his heart pound in his chest 'she called me husband not ex…'
"Something you'll learn when your older is that life gives us many choices…but it is up to us to fallow the paths that will truly define us as people, we must not only consider our own happiness in those decisions, but also the happiness of others…such as Friends and family….sometimes it causing us to make sacrifices, but that's what makes us mature and grow."
Darien looked out at the field in front of him, allowing the words to sink in. "Thank you" he said silently as Serena nodded "how are you feeling?"
Serena giggled "much better thank you, I get migraines nothing a tube of pain killers can't cure" the two laughed as she stood
"Here" she said handing him a piece of paper "this will excuse you for being late, just do me a favor and keep our conversation to yourself" she said with a wink "Don't let my kids know I come out here please…they tend to worry too much" she said smiling as Darien nodded
"See you in English Mamoru" Serena said waving as she left the field.
Darien took a deep breath as he looked to the sky 'sometimes it causing us to make sacrifices, but that's what makes us mature and grow' "I sacrificed alright…I sacrificed my family for my own happiness…"
With his hands in his pockets he headed back into the school.
"Helios" Rini giggled as the young man kissed her neck. Helios pushed Rini against her locker smiling as he kissed her softly on the lips
"You taste like cupcakes" he mumbled
"And you taste like cookies" Rini giggled kissing him more passionately
"And I'm gonna rip your tongue out your mouth if you don't step away from her now!" Darien growled as he walked up to the two teens. Helios and Rini separated quickly.
Rini glared at her father as Helios backed away slowly his eyes wide in fear "Endymion" he whispered
Rini turned to her boyfriend confused "no, his name is Mamoru, he's our new transfer student and incredibly annoying!" she hissed glaring daggers at the teen.
"What are you doing out here? Making out no less!"
"That's none of your fucking business!" Rini hissed,
Helios on the other hand was scared shit less. His eyes still wide as Darien stared him down "Rini…I have to go…to class…because that's what's right….and I um…ya…"
Rini confused by his fright, leaned into kiss him good bye, but Helios only pulled away and shook her hand "see you later" he said quickly
As he walked by Darien he bowed his head and whispering an "I'm sorry"
'Did he just shake my hand?" Rini thought. Darien only stared at his daughter, who looked pissed off and confused. "Are you happy now?" she screamed "What the hell is wrong with you?"
"What's wrong with me? What the hell is wrong with you? You're supposed to be in class yet here you are making out with some…some HULIGAN!"
"He's not a hooligan! He's my B.O.Y.F.R.I.E.N.D!"
Darien shook his head "You're too young to have a boyfriend! And what is this crap about not protecting your little brother? I will not allow you to continue to act in such a disgraceful manner!"
"WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU? YOU'RE NOT MY FATHER SO BACK OFF!" Rini screamed
By this time Rini and Darien hadn't noticed the small gathering of students.
"DON'T YOU USE THAT TONE WITH ME YOUNG LADY! I RA-"
"MAMORU!" Darien turned around to find Hotaru staring at him "I think WE ALL should get to class" Hotaru said staring death glares at the students around.
Soon everyone went back to their own classes as Hotaru walked up to a still angry Darien and a very embarrassed upset Rini. "Let's go Rini" she said grabbing her young friends arm and pulling her away
"You know Anastasia was right about you, you are crazy!" Rini said pulling out of Hotaru grip
"Well if you girls would show a little more decorum I wouldn't have to act 'crazy'" Darien growled 'oh she is so grounded when I turn back to normal!"
"That's enough" Hotaru said irritated "Darien it's time for last period" she turned to Rini "and for you"
"What?"
"Don't what me! Are you trying to give your mother a heart attack? Do you not know that you're making her look bad?"
"You know what Hotaru; I am really sick and tired of you constantly sticking up for my mother! Its ridicules, you're my friend NOT hers, and to answer your question NO I don't care if I make my mother look bad, why should I? She's a weak air headed moron, who will never amount to anything more than a little school teacher!"
"Rini" Darien said calmly as he noticed Serena standing behind his daughter
"Shut up Mamoru" Rini screamed as she continued with her speech, not realizing the look of terror on Hotaru face "Everyone thinks she's so fucking perfect it makes me sick! She's not perfect; she's far from ever being perfect! Everything she touches turns to ash, she ruined my life! I was never good enough for her, no she always had to outdo me in everything! The only one she cares about is my twit of a brother DJ!"
"Rini" Darien said louder but Rini ignored him
"I hate her and everything about her! She's a bad mother and I wish I was never a part of her to begin with!"
"Is that how you feel?" Rini stood frozen as she heard her mother's soft voice behind her. Darien and Hotaru stared at their princess as her face stayed emotionless
"I…" Rini looked to the ground
"I'm sorry I've been such a disappointment to you Rini…See you all in class" without another word Serena walked away
Hotaru turned to Rini—who was standing in shock—shaking her head Hotaru stared at Rini with disappointing eyes
"Hotaru I didn't…"
"stop" Hotaru said sternly "There's so much you just don't get Rini…that woman has done everything she can to protect you and your siblings, all she has ever wanted was to give you all a normal life…especially you…you have no clue what your mother is capable of or what she has gone through…your just too caught up in your own little selfish world to see what's really in front of you…"
Hotaru turned to Darien—who was also staring at his daughter with disappointing eyes—turning back to Rini she said "and when the time comes for me to stand beside my true Sovereign…it won't be you…it will be your mother"
Her last statement confused her as she watched her childhood friend walk away. Darien soon followed suit, leaving Rini standing alone.
**Creative Writing**
Stepping into his creative writing class, Darien looked around to find Amara sitting at Serena's desk. He took his seat by his son and looked down to see Rini sitting with her head down.
"They must have had a fight"
Darien turned to his son confused "Who?"
He pointed to Rini "Rini and her friends"
"Oh" Darien said seeing Vesta, Crese, Palla, Juno, and Hotaru sitting away from his daughter looking irritated. 'They must have found out what happened'
"I wonder what happened to my mother" DJ said concerned "She never misses class"
"Okay class, Hello....Shut up!" Amara screamed causing all the kids to stiffened "Rini head up" Amara said coldly
Rini slowly raised her head only to hide her face in her hands.
"Tsukino-sensei will not be here today, but do not fret she left me your assignment and home work assignment for today and tomorrow" a few hand flew up "No questions, your assignment is to write a creative story with the title "Mother" and your home work assignment is to research the Moon, I want 5 pages on the Goddess Selene"
The class looked at their new teacher stunned "Mom wouldn't a sign anything like that" DJ spoke out
"Your right, I made it up, now write" she hissed
It was finally the end of the school day.
DJ and Darien sat waiting for Celina to run threw the door as Rini walked over to her friends.
"We don't want to hear it Rini" Vesta hissed, her long red hair dancing around her.
"How could you be so rude and mean to your own mother?" Crese asked shaking her head
"You really hurt her Rini" Palla said tears in her eyes "we were here when she almost pasted out"
"What do you mean my mom almost pasted out?" DJ asked glaring at the girls
"We walked in to class and found Hotaru calling Aunt Amara on the phone with Aunt Serena in her arms" Juno answered wrapping her arms around the blue haired teen
"Why didn't you tell me?" DJ asked turning to his Aunt
"I need to call my dad" Rini said softly before Amara could answer
"Your mother doesn't want him to know Rini" Amara said callously
Rini shook her head "I'm not going to tell him about that, I just need to speak with him"
Darien walked over to Rini "I'll walk her out to the field" he said looking to Hotaru, who nodded as did Amara.
"Thank you" Rini said softly
Before they left Amara spoke up "Mamoru right?" Darien nodded "make sure she said nothing to her father about her mother's illness"
She doesn't know you're him Hotaru told him telepathically only I, Alex and Helios know who you really are
Darien looked to Amara and nodded; he fallowed his heartbroken daughter out to the football field "Rini I'll give you your privacy"
"But-"
"Whatever you have to say to your father say it, I'm sure he would want to know" and with that said he walked away from her, finding a place where she couldn't see or hear him.
Dialing the familiar number she took a deep breath 'please answer'
"Hello" came her father's voice
There was silence for a moment "hello" Darien said once more
"You really answered" She was surprised, many times before she had tried to call her father, but never got through.
"Of course angel" Darien fought back the tears;I really have neglected her… "Rini honey, are you alright?" he asked concerned
There was once more silence "Rini honey you can tell me...what's the matter?"
"Daddy I messed up so bad" she said crying "I really messed up daddy, I hurt mom...I hurt her so bad"
"Awe honey" it took everything in him not to run back to her and hold her "tell me what happened"
"You're not too busy?" she asked softly
Darien sat on the ground feeling like a horrible person "No honey I'm all ears"
"Thank you" she said softly "Mom and I had a really bad fight...I said something's I should of never said"
"Did you mean them?"
"No Never!" she said out load "I love mamma, I was just so upset and aggravated...I took it out on her"
"Rini-"
"I told her I hated her! I told her that I thought she was the worse mother ever!...." there was silence "I never meant it....I've just been so angry, and tired and everyone has been treating mom like some saint and then here comes DJ and he gets the big recording deal and is the smart kid who gets to skip grades, everyone expects me to just stand by his side and help him out when when...that was your job! You promised him you would be here to help him through this!
You told him that he wouldn't be in this alone; you told US you would never leave!
And you left!
You left and haven't even made an effort to see us! I'm angry I'm so god damn angry all the time. I fell like my life is going completely wrong direction! All I wanted was my father to comfort me to tell me it will be alright, I miss my DAD!
But you're too busy saving and helping strangers to help or save your own children! It isn't fair!
My mother is sick so very sick and no one will tell us what's going on!...." Rini stopped rambling as she gasped "oh no" she said in a whisper "I wasn't suppose to tell you..." she quickly hung the phone up
"Rini?" Darien asked in to the phone, but got nothing but the dial tone
He turned when he heard sniffing, there stood a red tear soaked Rini "Rini" he whispered
"I messed up Mamoru" she whispers a sob "I told him"
Darien just stood staring at her "I told him mom is sick...after they told me not too..." She shook her head "I'm so stupid!" she screamed hitting her head hard
With her hands
Darien ran up to her and grabbed her hands "stop it Rini" he demanded "stop it!" he tightened his grip on her "you're not stupid, don't ever say that!" Rini looked up at him
"I didn't mean any of it" she whispered "I didn't mean any of those terrible things I said to her...I love her" she sobbed into his chest "I didn't mean it...I'm just so angry...Mamoru...I'm just so so angry"
The two fell to the ground as Darien kept his arms firmly around her shaking body "I know Rini...I know" he whispered
After a few moments of crying Darien was able to get Rini to walk back to the classroom.
On their way back Rini looked at the young man beside her "you know...it's weird but for some reason...I feel safe around you...like I can trust you with anything" she whispered "but not in the way I feel about Helios, don't think I'm crazy, alright?" Darien nodded "it's a feeling I've only experienced with my...father"
Darien stared at her as a small smile crepe across his face "that not crazy" he said as they both smiled at each other "so tell me about this boyfriend"
Rini giggled "don't say it like that" she said punching his arm playfully "he's super sweet...he treats me wonderful, it's so hard for me to explain how he makes me feel. I know it sounds strange but since the first time I saw him...I knew"
"Knew what?" he asked
"That he was the one...he was my soul mate" Darien went pale, but recovered quickly "when I was a kid my mother and aunts told me stories about my mother and father...when they first met...and the love they shared..." Darien smiled at the memory "I've always wanted that...and now I have it...with him"
Darien looked at his daughter and saw the same unconditional love sparkling in her eyes. "That's nice Rini" he said smiling "but maybe you two should cool it with the make out sessions..."
Rini blushed "I know...but it's like we can't keep our hands off each other lately...he just-"
Darien held his hand up to stop her "please Rini for the sake of my sanity...don't tell me" Rini could only laugh
"You're so weird" she said with a smile
The two laughed as they walked into the classroom to find a happy Celina
"RINI!" she screamed as she ran up and hugged her older sister
"Whoa, you seem happy" Rini said laughing as the little blond nodded
"I am! I made a new friend!"
"Cel, that's great!" Rini hugged her sister, knowing that this was an exciting moment for the little blonde. Celina pulled away sensing her sister's sadness.
"Rini? Are you still sad about what happened between you and mamma?" Rini only looked at her sister surprised "Hotaru filled me in...It's alright oniisan, Don't be sad mamma knows you didn't mean it...she knows you were just upset...we all have been for a while, but don't worry everything will be better now" she said smiling as she kissed her sister on the cheek and ran to her twin brother "DJ sorry I've been so distant with you...You and I have always been together, so when you were sent to high school I was jealous...I am very proud of you" DJ smiled sweetly at her as he embraced her
"I love you and miss you Cel" DJ whispered in her hair, Celina nodded smiling
"Well you know you always have Zye, Nathan and Jay"
Celina blushed "Ooo-ooo blushing are we?" Crese teased "does someone have a crush?"
Darien's smile faded, no not his little bug…she wasn't suppose to grow up…no…
"Well..." Celina began blushing even more
"Oh my god!" Juno screamed "you're dating one of them aren't you?"
"What?" Palla screamed in excitement
"Who? Which one?" Vesta insisted
Darien and DJ glared at Celina, who was still blushing "Nathan" she said quietly
Darien fainted
"WHAT?" DJ screamed "When did this happen?"
Before Celina could speak Amara walked over smiling "we can carry this conversation after we pick Mamoru off the ground and get home"
Rini looked at the fallen Darien "god he's so weird" she said laughing
As they walked to the car DJ glared at his sister "we're not done talking"
Celina only smiled ---------------------
Her head was pounding as she lay motionless. Sweat dripped form her forehead, her eyes were heavy that she could not open them. She heard familiar voices…
"She's burning up" the fire goddess worried "What are we going to do? We can't take her to a hospital….not while her moon sign is present"
"I don't know Rei" Michele said placing a cool cloth onto her forehead "we can't hide her here forever…they'll start to ask questions" Rei and Michele walked to the window
"We should call you know who"
"No" the two turned to Serena who was panting as she sat up "you can't call him"
"Sere you really need to lie down" Rei said pushing her down gently
"Rei please, you can't tell him…he made his choice, he's happy where he's at, I will not be the reason he has to quit what he loves"
"He loves you and his children Sere" Rei said gently trying not to upset her friend
"Princess…you're not getting any better…maybe you should tell at least your children, they would understand"
"Understand that I would have to leave them to live on the moon and rule the galaxy?"
"But if you stay here you'll die! Lunarians were not meant to stay on earth" Michele was feeling desperate now, she didn't want to see her princess die. "Please Princess you must speak to his majesty!"
"Sere…I hate to do this but…if you do not tell them soon…we'll be forced to tell Darien" Rei took a breath "we are to protect you…so if that means disobeying a direct order then so be it"
The Senshi of Neptune nodded, with a breath Serena looked to her friends "Let me think about it okay?" the two nodded as DJ screamed her name.
"Mom" they heard a young boy yell from down stairs
"They can't see me like this" Serena started to panic "I haven't been able to speak to Rini"
"I'll head down" Rei said kissing Serena on the cheek "we love you Serena…please just think about it" Serena smiled and nodded.
DOWN STAIRS
"MOM" DJ yelled again
"DJ" Rei called as she rushed down stairs
"Aunt Rei?" he looked around the room "where's mom?"
"Your mother is resting right now, you need to keep your voice down" Rei looked to Amara 'she's getting worse' Amara's eyes widen in terror 'she can't even get out of bed…she's burning up and her moon sign will not disappear…I believe she's dying'
Amara pushed Rei out of her way as she flew up the steps into Serena's room. DJ and the others looked to Rei confused and worried
"Mom's not doing so well is she" everyone turned to Rini who was standing by Darien.
"She's fine it's just a migraine"
"Don't lie to me Aunt Rei; I can feel it…I can't explain it but it's like I can feel her life…her energy…as if she's slipping away from us..."
"No she's not" Rei said sternly Her powers are awakening…
"Then what is it?" the pink haired teen demanded "I am so tired of all of you beating around the bush with us! We are her family we deserve to know what's going on!"
"Mom" Vesta said walking up to her mother "Rini's right…if there's something wrong with Aunt Serena…we should know"
Rei turned her head as tears started to fall from her face "it isn't my place"
"Then I'm going to see her" Rini said walking to the stairs.
"Rini no" Hotaru said quickly "you must leave her alone…"
"No" Rini said turning to Hotaru "I won't, she's my mother"
"Trust me Rini…you'll find out soon enough" she said turning to Darien "I think it's time we contact his majesty" 'I fear her end is nearing…'
