Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon or her characters, and have no right to it except as a long time fan.
A Second Chance
Forming Bonds
Two days after Serena emerged from her coma she was allowed to go home. She had been thoroughly tested to make sure she was healthy and completely healed from her wounds, and had no negative side effects from her coma. She was found to be perfectly fine and was released without a problem.
She had stayed home for a few days to satisfy her parents, so they could see her walking around with no problems. She played games with Sammy to assure him that she was fine, and Rini saw her but neither of them spoke to the other.
Rini was still being quiet around Serena and seemed to be angry with her for some reason. At this point she didn't care what Rini's problem was. She was just glad Rini was leaving her alone and not back to demanding her crystal. Although, she had noticed that her room had looked like it had been gone through. Besides herself only Luna would have noticed the differences.
Serena had spoken to the girls since her release from the hospital, some of them on the phone and the others had come to her house to visit. They all asked after her health and went into detail about their enemy, so she would be thoroughly caught up on all the facts about them so far.
She had also spoken to Darien every day. He had come to visit her up until she got out of the hospital, and they had spoken on the phone when she was at home for hours on end. They talked about school, their enemy, and other little things but not the things they really needed to share with each other. Darien had said up front that he wanted them face to face when they talked and had complete privacy.
Besides that, Serena remembered how Darien had made it clear that he did still love her. He had asked her to be his girlfriend, which was something she really appreciated. Before they had just started dating without any conversation, like it was just automatically assumed that they would be together. It actually was something they had assumed, but it was still nice to have him ask her and be able to accept. It was nice to have that memory.
When the first day of the weekend arrived Serena was awake early that afternoon and was all ready to go, simply waiting for Darien to arrive. They had made plans to spend the day together so they could finally have their talk, sharing things that needed to be talked about.
Her phone rang and she answered and listened as Darien let her know that he was waiting outside. She said she would be right out and soon they were on their way to his apartment where they would be assured of privacy.
— o.0.O.O.0.o —
When they arrived at Darien's apartment Serena looked around with interest. She had been there before but never far pass the door. She took in the spacious living room and large windows leading to the balcony, the comfortable looking seating and the television.
They settled on the couch, sitting facing each other, and decided to start at the beginning with how they became Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask then work their way through events. Once they were aware of how each came into their secret identities they began to talk about how they felt about being those heroes.
"Sometimes I don't want to be a scout." Serena admitted. "In the beginning I felt like I didn't belong since I had to work harder to be able to fight when it came easily for the girls, and when they criticized my fighting skills and my ability to lead."
"When I first became Sailor Moon Luna was no help. She didn't tell me or show me how to use my powers, like she expected me to know how to use them just because I transformed. After seeing Amy, Lita, and Raye become scouts the first time I realized that was exactly what she expected because that was exactly how they reacted. They had instantly known what to do." She explained.
"After my first fight I didn't want to be Sailor Moon, and each time I witnessed the girls taking so easily to their powers only made me wonder why I even was a scout and reminded me that I didn't want the job. The complaints about my skills or lack of didn't help at all. It made me feel useless and just reinforced the idea that I had no business being a scout." She finished.
"I'm glad you never stopped being Sailor Moon." Darien began. "I understand why you felt that way, and I admire that you continued on. I think the girls shouldn't have complained about your fighting skills. They should have helped you get better and encouraged you, or at the very least asked why you were having it harder then they were." He said with a frown and watched her nod.
"Do you still feel that way? Not wanting to be a scout?" He asked after a few moments of silence.
"I honestly don't know." She admitted. "I've been too distracted with what's been going on with us to give it much thought."
Darien nodded and was just about to begin explaining how he felt about being Tuxedo Mask when he was interrupted by Serena's communicator going off. First Luna contacted her, then Lita, then annoyingly Raye. All wanting to know where she was and if she was okay since her cell phone was off.
Darien stood up and began to pace the room in irritation. Luna and the others shouldn't use those devices for personal reasons. He and Serena had tensed up thinking there was an attack happening and were ready to dash off.
"We need to go someplace where we won't be interrupted." He decided. "I know the perfect place, it's just getting there that'll be the problem since I don't remember how."
"I don't know." Serena said hesitantly as she watched him. "I don't want us to be unreachable if there's an attack."
"The girls will be fine without us. They've experienced fighting without us these last couple of months." He stated firmly. "We need time alone and undisturbed so we can talk about everything we need to. It's important that we get things settled between us because we'll eventually have to talk to the girls about our breakup, and we'll need to present a united front when we do." He insisted.
"If we don't settle things between us and then the girl's things will be tense between me and everybody except Mina, and we really don't need that with the enemy we're dealing with." He finished as he sat back down.
Serena nodded her agreement knowing that what he said was true. They would have to explain some things to the others so they could understand the situation and everyone could move pass it.
"Where are we going to go?" She asked curiously.
"Elysion if I can figure out how to get us there." He answered and Serena hummed, wondering where this place was even though the name sounded familiar.
As Darien wracked his mind to try and figure out how to get them to Elysion he remembered his golden crystal from his past. After some thought he realized that was how he was able to heal people now. He still had his crystal; he just needed to call it to him.
He closed his eyes and focused on his past where he now remembered handling his crystal frequently and the occasional healing he had done in the present. He remembered the warmth and the golden light, and suddenly he felt a rush of warmth surround then exit his chest. He heard Serena gasp and opened his eyes and looked down to see his golden crystal floating in front of his chest.
Darien smiled as he gestured for her to stand with him. He then used his crystal to take them to the hidden place on earth that only he as prince could get to. They disappeared from his living room and reappeared elsewhere in a golden flash of light.
When they arrived Serena looked around and saw there was a house surrounded by a sea of vibrant red roses. It was small in comparison to the palace he had lived in in the past, but large enough for a few people to live comfortably. It was two stories with large smooth vertical marble pillars holding up a large balcony. It looked like it was made of white-gray marble, very sturdy, and very beautiful.
Darien led Serena inside, hidden lights seemed to come to life revealing deep earthy greens, blues, browns, and reds. They settled on a large sofa made of dark wood with dark blue cushions, and made themselves comfortable before gazing at their surroundings; one in fond remembrance and the other in fascination.
"Why did you have this place?" Serena asked curiously as her eyes darted all over the place.
"It was my private getaway." He answered as the memory surfaced. "I used to come here when I needed peace, and to get away from everyone. I haven't been here since the first time I met you in the past." He explained and Serena nodded.
Now that they were assured they wouldn't be interrupted they continued their discussion from Darien's apartment with him explaining how he felt about being Tuxedo Mask.
"Being a masked hero was empowering, and it was amazing to know I had the power to help people." Darien said as he remembered back to the beginning.
"But being Tuxedo Mask was also a lonely and stressful experience. I had no one to talk to about what was happening to me or to ask for advice. It was a huge responsibility to have the power, to have to knowingly go out into danger or feel guilty for not using my power to help people." He explained quietly.
Saving Sailor Moon had also been stressful for him. Not the saving part, but the fact that he had established a pattern of saving her. There was always pressure to be there and save her whenever she was in trouble. Even though all but Sailor Moon herself hadn't trust him, he thought they still expected him to save her.
He always felt guilty and upset whenever she managed to get injured. Not only did he not like her getting hurt, it also made him feel like a failure. Like he wasn't a worthy protector.
Darien frowned. He wanted to tell her this, but he didn't want her to feel badly. Later. He decided. There would be other conversations.
Serena frowned and held his hand tightly. She could understand where he was coming from. Even though she hadn't felt comfortable talking to Luna and the girls about some things she still had them to talk to. Darien had no one. Even after they got together they still hadn't talked about those things. It was yet another reason why their relationship hadn't been what it should have been.
She also understood about feeling guilty for not going out and using her power to help. Most times the guilt had been the only reason she went out to fight when she felt she didn't have the skills to do it.
"Still, I can understand both sides, yours and the girls." Darien began. "Fighting comes easily for them because they had been trained in the past to do it. Not to mention their power is a part of them, it's like it's in their blood to fight. You on the other hand weren't a fighter in the past. You were a princess trained to rule. You had others to fight for you, so now you're learning it all for the first time and it's going to take time. People don't become experts at fighting over months but in years."
"With me fighting comes easily as well, but it was also confusing because I would do something and not know how I did it or how I even knew to do it. It's all instinctive and I couldn't just stop during those times to think about it since I risked getting injured or killed." He explained, and she nodded.
Serena understood what Darien was saying and it all made sense. He and the girls had been trained to fight and she hadn't. They had the instincts to go on and she was just building hers up.
Understanding, however, didn't stop her from feeling the pain of their criticism. Still, she was glad that he understood. He had never criticized her before. Even before she knew he was Tuxedo Mask he had always helped her, saved her without complaint. It was enough.
She decided to move things along and ask him something she had always wanted to ask but never had the courage to.
"Do you remember what happened when you were taken by the Dark Kingdom?" She asked.
"Yes." Darien answered with a frown as he nodded and began to tell her about his time with their old enemy.
He described what it had been like to be brainwashed. That he remembered the feel of the evil taint flowing through his body and manipulating his thoughts.
"It had worked for the most part. They had succeeded in making me think I was on their side, and that you and the Scouts were my enemy." He said.
"Despite the brainwashing though I still retained my morals and I hadn't killed or slept with anyone." He explained. "I also hadn't let them know that I still remembered who Sailor Moon was. I remembered that you were Serena, my Serenity, and that I still wanted you. It hadn't mattered to me that you were one of the good guys and I was supposed to be against you, I still wanted you. And because of my desire for you I was uninterested in the females that came on to me. Including Beryl, and she had definitely tried hard to get me to want her."
Serena gasped in shock and surprise. That was something that had never even occurred to her, and she was glad it hadn't or she would have experienced more pain over wondering if he was being intimate with any of those dark females.
"I remember doing bad things, hurting people, and ignoring those in pain. I also remember when I began to fight the evil taint, and when they realized I was and brainwashed me again, more severely than before." He said with a frown.
"I definitely remember the horror of fighting you at the end and how badly I hurt you. That's something I don't like remembering. In fact, I don't like remembering any of my time with the Dark Kingdom, but I remember it because it was an event in my life that shaped me into who I am now." He explained.
"I remember feeling horrible about fighting you. It was hard because I knew you weren't my enemy but they had made you believe I was yours, so at the very least I had to defend myself. It was also hard on me emotionally when you would help me out during a fight only to have to watch you leave with the enemy in the end." Serena said sadly.
"It was even harder at the end to fight you and find the strength to figure out how to free you, only to watch you die protecting me. To lose you just as I had finally gotten you back." She explained as she tightened her hold on his hand.
"Then once the next enemy showed itself I hadn't wanted the girls to be awakened. Even though I missed them I still thought it was bad enough that I had been awakened and could no longer be normal. I thought they could at least be able to live normal lives." She continued.
"Still, once we were all awakened and remembered everything that happened I wanted you to remember too. It hurt that you didn't remember. It hurt even more and made me angry when you would laugh or look at me like I was crazy when I tried to get you to remember. I knew that it wasn't your fault that you didn't remember, but that was how I felt." She finished.
"I'm sorry." Darien said as he wrapped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her close. "I know it's not my fault that I didn't remember, but I'm still sorry for hurting your feelings."
"I still don't completely understand why I didn't remember, but I think it was the simple fact that I didn't have anyone to unlock my memories like you and the girls did." He explained and Serena nodded thoughtfully.
From there they began to talk about what they remembered of their past in the Silver Millennium. They both remembered very clearly when they met and the time after and until their death, but they were still remembering their childhood and their lives.
Eventually Serena began to confide in Darien that she didn't really feel like a princess, she didn't feel worthy of the title. She had only felt like a princess twice. The first time when she was revealed to be the Moon Princess, and when she was facing Beryl at the end. She felt that nothing in her current life made her worthy of the title. Addressing her as Princess Serenity didn't automatically make her feel like a princess.
She didn't feel smart enough, beautiful enough, or at all graceful enough to be considered a princess. She didn't think anyone should put their lives on the line for her because she wasn't anything special. Being royalty in the past wasn't a good enough reason in her opinion.
"I don't know the girls reasons but I risked my life for yours at first when I knew you as just Sailor Moon because it was instinctive for me to save you. Then after a while it was because I had developed feelings for you, and now after knowing everything I do it because I love you. You're my family." He explained softly as he held her.
"As far as I'm concerned you're smart, beautiful, and graceful enough as you are, and you shouldn't try to change who you are to fit anyone's vision of what a princess should be." He told her firmly, wanting her to believe it.
"I think you're special as just Serena. You're happy, cheerful, fun, kind, thoughtful, and so much more. That alone makes you worth saving." He assured her.
"You know, I didn't really feel like a prince either until I had decided to be a mixture of my past and present self. Maybe you should try the same thing if it will help you feel better." He suggested. "I'll help you work on it while we're here if you want, but you should do it for yourself and not to try and fit anyone else's vision of a princess."
"Okay. I'll try it since it seems to be working for you." She agreed. "This way I'll feel like the princess I am, and be able to act like it. Maybe be a bit more mature and graceful." She added wistfully.
They moved on from there to talk about Raye's feelings for Darien, and how they both felt about it and what could be done about the situation.
"I'm uncomfortable around her." Darien stated plainly. "It's frustrating because I can't do anything about her feelings. I feel like if I act the way I want to get her to leave me alone and move on then someone's going to get hurt."
"I think everyone would be angry with me and it would make fighting the enemy difficult, and being with you harder as well because they wouldn't want to be around me. The last thing I want is for you to have some kind of split with your friends because of me. Not only because they're your friends, but because they're your guardians. I don't want to risk that happening." He explained.
"I understand completely and I appreciate your consideration." Serena said with a small smile. "Even though they're my friends I would feel the need to side with you, especially since I agree with you."
"I'm uncomfortable, frustrated, and hurt with Raye's continued attraction to you. I understand that before we knew who you really were Raye had genuinely liked you, and that you guys had gone out on a few dates. I was sensitive to that, keeping my pain to myself in all but the visual sense when the Dark Kingdom took you, but I think it's been long enough for her to have moved on or at least gotten over her feelings for you." She said with a frown.
Serena had hidden her hurt more times then she could count when she would look away from his smiling face, turn toward his laughter, or snuggle in his arms to see Raye gazing at him with a soft look. Sometimes it was an inviting look or she would look at them with envy as if she wished it was her in his arms.
What she thought made it more painful was the fact that she didn't think Raye or any of the girls thought she had noticed Raye's continued attraction to Darien. Raye at least seemed to think she was oblivious, because sometimes the looks she cast his way were extremely obvious.
"What are we going to do about her?" She asked with a sigh. "Obviously she needs to be made to understand that nothing will happen between you two, but how are we going to go about it?"
"I think…you need to speak to her, without me there." Darien said after a couple of silent minutes. "If I was there things would be awkward, tense, and nothing would get said. I think I should only speak to her if you feel she needs to hear directly from me that nothing will ever happen between us."
Serena nodded as she considered it. It was a good idea. She wasn't looking forward to that conversation, but she knew it needed to happen. And with Raye's personality she thought Darien might actually have to speak to her on the subject.
"Maybe I can ask Mina for advice on how to approach her." She said thoughtfully.
"I think you should. She might be able to help." He said with a nod.
With that matter settled for the moment they moved on to talk about Rini. They discussed where they thought she might have come from, why she was there now at this point in their lives, why she was staying with Serena of all people, and why she had taken such a quick liking to Darien.
They wondered if she was staying with Serena for any other reason besides trying to get her silver crystal. Was her purpose in showing up in their lives just to get her hands on the crystal? And they wondered what she needed the crystal for in the first place.
"Sometimes when I touched Rini I saw visions of a crystal city with you, as Serenity, surrounded by a great deal destruction." Darien admitted. "I don't know how to explain them. I've never had visions before, unless the dreams I've had up to this point count."
"I don't know how to explain them either, but I think it's possible that the dreams you've had could count as visions. It might be a power you have that's still developing. You should watch for signs of it and examine the details of any unusual dreams or visions you have from now on." Serena said encouragingly.
"I'll do that." Darien said as he nodded thoughtfully. "Come on. Let's get started on helping you feel more like the princess you are." He said as he stood up and helped her to her feet.
"Now, transform into your royal form." He instructed. "That's how I started, because only then can you tell exactly how you are supposed to feel."
Serena closed her eyes and filled her mind with thoughts of the moon, her past self, wanting to feel like a princess, and transformed in a soft white light. Darien followed her, transforming in a golden light so she wouldn't feel any discomfort being in that form alone.
"I want you to walk around and focus on how you're feeling." Darien told her and watched as she began to walk, gliding as she moved, and wondered if she realized how graceful she was moving. He knew she could move like that when she wasn't transformed, she just needed the confidence to do it.
"How are you feeling?" He asked. "Tell me how you're feeling on the inside and outside."
Serena turned and looked at him, at her Endymion as she placed a hand lightly on her arm.
"I feel like Serenity." She answered. "I feel confident, self-assured, graceful, and beautiful. I can tell my movements are light and graceful, and I feel like I can handle situations with calm confidence. I feel like I have nothing to prove."
"Good. That's how you're supposed to feel all the time." He said as he stood watching her. "Okay. Release your transformation." He told her and watched as she did.
"Remember how you felt. Feel it." Darien said as he moved toward her. "You need to remember that you are Serenity. The princess in you is not a separate entity. That confident graceful persona is a part of you."
"Transform again." He instructed as he began to circle her. "Serenity and Serena need to be one. Need to be a perfect blend." He said as the light enveloped her. "You do it to a certain extent every time you become Sailor Moon, because like me that persona is more Serenity than Serena." He continued as he watched her release her transformation on her own.
"You need to achieve a mixture of the two. Allow one part to become dominate depending on the situation, but the mixture should always be there." He continued, explaining what she needed to do.
Serena transformed again as she listened to Darien's calm assertive voice telling her that the blending of her personalities needed to become unconsciously done, automatic. She felt that it was working because his voice and movements were turning her on, and the confident self-assured part of her wanted to kiss him very much.
He was still circling her and as she released her transformation she decided that she was going to kiss him. They had not kissed since before Rini fell into their lives, and even then it had not been the kind of kiss she was currently thinking about.
She transformed yet again and stopped him when he was in front of her by wrapping her arms around his neck, then stood on her toes and kissed him.
Darien bent down and returned his princess' kiss as he wrapped his arms around her. The simple kiss he thought they would share turned passionate and fiery in an instant. He pulled her against his body and was irritated that his armor was in the way, preventing him from feeling her warm body.
The kiss seemed to be a trigger for the couple. Memories of the past surfaced. Moments of secret intimate looks, multiple passionate kisses, caressing hands, soft sighs, deep groans, heavy breathing, and more flashed before their closed eyes.
Endymion lifted a hand and placed it on the back of his Serenity's neck to keep her close. Serenity snaked the fingers of one hand into his hair and fisted the dark locks. Both were anxious to stay close as they were held in the grips of their memories.
When the memories stopped they pulled away long enough to share a long look that confirmed both had the same memory experience before locking lips once again.
After a few minutes of intense kissing Serenity pulled away in frustration.
"I wish you would remove your armor." She said with a light huff.
Endymion wasted little time complying with his princess' wish. His armor hit the floor piece by piece as she moved to sit on the sofa. Normally he would take more care with his armor but his mind was clouded, full of nothing but his Serenity. He turned and found her sitting on the sofa, her legs and feet curled up on the cushions hidden beneath her gown, her shoes sitting neatly on the floor.
As her prince sat next to her Serenity shifted to her knees and skillfully maneuvered her gown before straddling his lap and bringing her lips to his. She was being incredibly bold. She had never done this before, at least not in the present, but she almost couldn't help herself. She felt that her royal persona was dominate, in control, and judging by his reaction to her actions his was as well.
She sighed against his lips and brought her arms around his neck, leaning against him as she felt his hands settle on her hips. The heat from his hands soaking through her gown felt so good. In fact, the heat from his entire body felt good.
Endymion pulled Serenity close, wrapping his arms around her back, enjoying the feel of her smooth skin as their lips danced together. Part of Endymion wondered why they were being so intense when they never had been before. The other part didn't particularly care. He just wanted to be close to his princess and express his love for her.
He did know that he liked this intensity. He liked the feel of her body against him, the feel of her warmth seeping through their clothes, and the feel of her fingers running through his hair. He remembered this intensity from their past but it was new now, and it was already something he was addicted to. He knew that after this he would not be able to go back to the simple kisses they had shared before, especially with the memories that had surfaced.
Serenity hummed in pleasure and shifted so she could reach the front of Endymion's top. She opened it as quickly as possible and spread her fingers across his chest, savoring the warm skin and firmness.
Her prince moaned lowly and her world shifted until her back was resting flat against the cushions. She breathed quickly as she blinked up at him, his form kneeling between her knees, and watched as he pulled his top off and tossed it to the floor before leaning down and bringing his lips back to hers.
She breathed a sigh as his lips moved along her cheek and began to kiss and suckle on her neck. She moved her hands along his broad shoulders and upper back as she shifted, savoring the feel of his weight on top of her. She was distracted by coolness against her leg and was startled at how loudly she moaned at feeling his hand slide up her leg and squeeze her thigh.
The sound seemed to wake them to their actions. His lips froze on her neck, his hand paused on her thigh, and her hands stopped in his hair. They looked at each other and in those moments, realized what they were doing, and that if they continued, where they would eventually end up. They reluctantly moved apart and shifted into a seated position as they tried to understand what had happened, how they had gotten so far.
They understood that part of the reason was because of the new sexual feelings they were experiencing. Their relationship had been passionate in the past and it was clear that it was going to continue now in their present.
The couple considered that another part of the reason was because their royal persona's had taken control in a sense, and that they had been unable to consummate their relationship in the past. Something they remembered earlier during their flash of memories. So now a part of them wanted to make that happen. They remembered that it wasn't for a lack of trying in the past. They had always been interrupted or couldn't find the time with the way their lives were.
They decided to put their recent actions aside and Serena would continue trying to blend her personality with her past self. As she stood and stepped into her shoes Darien released his royal transformation in order to keep them from getting distracted again.
Not that either of them minded such a distraction, they just didn't need it right then. It was definitely something they would revisit.
— o.0.O.O.0.o —
The first date between Mina and Andrew started off well, but it was interrupted after the movie when they were headed to eat. Mina was contacted and informed about an attack, so they hadn't been able to talk much and continue getting to know each other. This time they were trying again and since it was Saturday they had decided to spend the whole day together. They would go for a movie and find some place casual to eat.
As Andrew made his way to pick up Mina he thought about how excited he was for their date. He really did like Mina. He thought she was very mature for her age, which was something he was sure happened because of being a sailor scout at a young age. He especially liked that she was trying to get to know Darien, and understand him where the other girls close to Serena were not.
Raye didn't count as far as he was concerned. She was a girl who wanted what she wanted, and seemed to be used to getting what she wanted. It didn't help that she had had a taste of what she wanted.
It hadn't been long since his last relationship, but he thought he was ready to try again, especially with the way Mina made him feel. His relationship with Rita had been good and he had loved her, but when she went away she had broken his heart. Her leaving wasn't what hurt him, it was how she left. He wasn't sure if she realized it but the things she had been saying to him leading up to her leaving had made him feel like their relationship meant nothing to her.
Once Rita was on the plane he had decided that their relationship was over. The fact that it had been months now and he had yet to receive a phone call or a letter from her let him know his decision had been right.
It was early afternoon when Andrew reached Mina's house. He could have used his car but he had taken the bus and walked so they could have more time to talk. They exchanged greetings and smiles then headed out to have lunch.
They talked about school and what subjects interested them as well as what they wanted to do with their future. Mina said that she was pretty athletic and was really into volleyball, and that she's a fan of many different celebrities. Whenever she got the chance she liked to go to concerts, book signings, or wherever an event was planned and be a groupie.
Andrew said he liked reading, many different books, and watching anime. He said that he was studying business and he hoped to own his own business but he didn't know what kind yet. Mina explained that she was thinking about playing professional volleyball, but she wasn't sure it would be possible with being a sailor scout.
In discussing their past relationships Mina revealed that she had had many crushes but no relationships so far. She wasn't embarrassed to admit that. Most times her crush ended up liking someone else before she could tell them about her feelings, or they ended up being an enemy in disguise. Not to mention since becoming a scout there was always the problem of attacks interfering in relationships, and if it happened to last then if they should reveal their secret or not.
Andrew said he had had many crushes as well, and one serious relationship that ended a few months ago. He explained that it hadn't ended by his choice. She had had a job opportunity in another country and they were going to try for a long distance relationship.
Before she left he had noticed that she was saying things that left him with the impression that she might not come back, and like she wasn't having even the slightest problem leaving him for who knew how long. He had decided after she had got on the plane that they were done, and the fact that he had not once heard from her since then assured him that he had made the right decision.
Mina asked quietly what he would do if she suddenly contacted him thinking nothing was wrong with the excuse that she had been very busy with the move and her work. He replied that he would tell her that they were over. She couldn't have possibly been so busy that she couldn't even let him know that she had arrived safely.
They then branched off into talking about her friends, which lead into talking about Raye and her feelings for Darien and how they didn't understand why she liked him, but more importantly why she wasn't backing off and getting over him.
"She does actually like him doesn't she?" Andrew asked with a frown. "This isn't something where she's jealous of the attention Darien gives Serena is it?" He asked, wanting to be sure.
"No. Raye really does like him." Mina answered instantly. "Part of being the scout of love gives me the ability to sense such things and I can sense her feelings. It's not anywhere near what Serena feels for him, not even close, but it's there." She explained.
"Can you tell how Darien feels towards Raye?" Andrew asked curiously.
"As far as I can tell he holds no romantic feelings toward her what so ever. Everything he feels in that area is for Serena, and just as strong as her feelings are for him." She explained.
"I just can't understand why Raye even likes Darien." He said in frustration.
"Why?" She asked as she looked at him. "Serena doesn't seem to have a problem liking him."
"I don't know if you've been told but during the time Raye met Darien for the first time he and Serena were forever arguing and insulting each other." Andrew said. "I can admit that sometimes Darien was really mean, boarding on cruel in his remarks to Serena, not that she wasn't the same sometimes, as hard as that is to imagine. They seemed to bring out the worse in each other, but couldn't seem to leave each other alone. It was like as soon as one saw the other they had to say something." He explained.
"My point is that Raye saw some of this and you would think a friend wouldn't like a guy that treated their friend that way. They would have to wonder if he would treat them the same, but that didn't seem to happen with Raye. In fact, she seemed to adopt some of his behavior toward Serena." He continued.
"I had actually wondered the same thing with Serena. Why would she want to date him with how they treated each other, but then I thought about it and realized that they had to have felt something for each other otherwise neither of them would have put up with that behavior. I know them both well enough to know that they would've either ignored the person or stayed away from them." He said.
"Then when I add in what I recently learned about them being secret heroes and having feelings for each other, and how they felt about each other in their past them being together made even more sense." He added.
Mina nodded her understanding. The behavior between Serena and Darien before she met them was something she hadn't known about and made her understand Andrew's concern. With Serena and Darien she would have said from the start that they liked each other, but she had to agree with his concern about Raye developing feelings for Darien after seeing that behavior. If it was her witnessing their spats she would have reevaluated any developing feelings she had toward him.
She honestly didn't know why Raye liked Darien or why she wasn't getting over him. It was clear that she hadn't wanted her, Amy, and Lita to know that she still liked him, not that they couldn't tell anyway. Being angry with him for hurting Serena yet asking him out when they weren't around. Not to mention picking a time when Serena would be unaware of the attempt.
"After Darien was kidnapped by our enemy Raye had been hurting somewhat like Serena, but she seemed to be getting over her feelings with time. As far as I had sensed her feelings hadn't disappeared entirely but they weren't anything I was concerned about. Then one day they seemed to be there again shouting at me. I'm not sure if that was before or after Darien broke up with Serena, but they were definitely there strongly after the breakup." Mina explained.
"I wonder if seeing them together, seeing how Darien treated Serena, gave Raye an idea of how he would treat her if they were together. She obviously liked what she saw and that might have brought her feelings back to the surface and even fueled them." She added.
"I think that's possible." Andrew said thoughtfully.
"Yeah." She agreed. "But I still think Raye's attraction to him needs to stop."
"I agree, but how do you stop something like that?" He questioned. "Maybe she needs to hear directly from Darien that he doesn't have feelings for her. Technically he's never told her that."
"From what I understand Darien went on a few dates with her, then those stopped, then he learned who Serena really was and what she meant to him, he loses his memory, he gets it back, he and Serena start dating, then he breaks up with her." He summarized. "Nowhere in there, that I know of, does Darien tell Raye that he wasn't interested in going on anymore dates or that his feelings for her didn't go in that direction."
"That's a good possibility." She said with a nod. "We should tell Darien and Serena about that." She added and Andrew nodded his agreement.
After finishing their lunch they went for a walk in the park, holding hands like the few couples wandering the area. Once they reached the park they moved on to talk about Rini and what could possibly be going on with her. Why she was there, why she was living with Serena, and why she was attached to Darien. Mina also confided that she suspected that their enemy was after her, and if that was true she wondered why. They both agreed that it couldn't be anything good.
Mina then began to tell Andrew some of what she remembered of her past. She said that she was the incarnation of the goddess Venus, and that she had a castle called Magellan Castle that was given to her by her princess' mother, Queen Serenity, when she was born.
"I believe it's still there floating around Venus." She said with a smile before she suddenly frowned as a new memory came to her. "Oh! I knew you in the past." She said in awe as she closed her eyes to better focus on the images of her memory, relying on him to guide her as they walked. "You look identical to what I'm remembering." She added with an amazed laugh.
"Really?" Andrew asked in surprise.
"Yeah." She answered as she opened her eyes and looked at him. "From what I'm remembering you were close to Endymion, a friend since childhood. You were the only one besides his guardian generals that was allowed to be close to him. I can't remember any more of your personal history." She said as she squeezed his hand and watched him nod.
"I also remember that we were together back then." Mina added and Andrew raised his eyebrows in surprise. "I remember almost everyone thought I was with Malachite, the leader of Endymion's guardian generals, or wanted to be with him, but they were wrong. We had talked and I had liked him, but he seemed unwilling to break the rules to pursue anything with me the way Endymion had with Serenity. So I put my budding feelings for him out of my mind and focused on my duties. In the process of protecting Serenity I met your past self." She explained.
"Do you remember what my name was?" Andrew asked.
"Yes. It was Itonus." She answered.
Itonus. He repeated. Andrew liked the name. He liked the sound of it and thought it was unique. It also gave him a sense of familiarity, and he wondered if that meant a part of him remembered, if his soul remembered.
"I wish I could remember that life, but it's okay if I don't. I'm happy that we managed to meet in this life, and that we're getting to know each other again." He said with a smile. "I hope you remember more of your past. Will you tell me if I act in a similar way to my past self if you remember?" He asked.
"I'll definitely tell you of any similarities I notice if I remember more." She assured him.
From there they continued their walk, leaving the park and going to the mall to window shop. They both agreed that doing so would pass time as well as allow them to see and learn more about each other's likes and dislikes. It turned out to be very fun. They joked around and laughed as they tried on clothes and shoes they normally wouldn't wear, and looked through collections of DVD's and CD's.
A few hours later they went to the theater and after deciding on a movie they settled in their seats with their snacks and talked a little as they waited for the movie to start.