After another long wait, sangoscourage and I present Chapter 8 of our lovely saga! Ever since the posting of the last chapter we have been tossing ideas back and forth and writing parts of the forthcoming chapter. We hope you enjoy the latest installment and please leave reviews to let us know how you like the story! I foresee more updates throughout the summer months since I don't have to worry about school and such. As always thank you to my esteemed co-author and to you, the reader, for your continued patience. Now on with the story! Sailor Violin

DISCLAIMER: We do not own Sailor Moon.
Trials Along The Way
Chapter 8

Xena smiled as she looked out over the city. She felt like the luckiest girl in the world. She had graduated with honors and was living in a new land that she was beginning to feel at home in. She had great friends and now, a boyfriend whom she truly loved. Now there were only two things left to accomplish: find her own apartment and get her career started. She had a feeling the latter was about to come true very soon.

She had come home after lunch, and upon Seiya's insistence, she had laid down to rest. Xena had to admit that she had needed that nap. She hadn't realized how much her injuries had drained her. By the time Xena had awakened from her mid-day slumber, she was feeling rejuvenated, and now patiently waited for Seiya to pick her up and take her to the studios. Just as she opened the door, Seiya suddenly appeared, startling Xena.

"You know Seiya, we really do have to stop meeting like this." Xena joked as she quieted her beating heart.

"I'll have to agree with you there Xena. Anyways, are you ready to see what the inside workings of a studio?" Seiya asked as he put his arm around Xena's waist.

Fifteen minutes later, they reached the studio and obtained a security pass from the receptionist. Seiya showed Xena everything from the maintenance department, right to the sound studio where he was starting to record an album. He introduced her to the producer and his fellow 

musicians. Xena watched as Seiya recorded a few tracks. Afterwards, Seiya talked with his producer for a few minutes before exiting the studio with a large grin.

"That was a good session." Seiya said, sounding impressed with himself. "Xena, my producer, Kazumi, wishes to speak with you. He heard the tracks I put together with the violin accompaniment and wants to offer you a contract!" Seiya said excitedly as he grabbed a hold of Xena steering her into the recording studio before she could protest. Xena took a breath to gain her composure; she would surely get Seiya for this later. Kazumi greeted her at the studio door.

"Ah, Xena; yes, I have heard great things about you and your outstanding skills as a violinist. Seiya gave me the cd with the computer-simulated string accompaniment additions and I thought it truly added beauty to the pieces. Would you please join Seiya Monday here at the studio and we can experiment with some of the tracks?"

"I would be honored sir." Xena said with a bow.

"If all goes well, I'd love to sign you on our record label. We can provide you with many opportunities; not only recording accompaniments with our friend, Seiya, but we can even launch your solo career. Of course, no pressure; we'll see how Monday goes and go from there."

Xena bowed once more in respect to her potential future employer. He was promising her a record deal! She walked back out of the studio with a big smile on her face and told Seiya the outcome of her discussion with Kazumi.

"I knew it! I am so proud of you Xena!" Seiya said giving her a big hug. The two clasped hands and began preparations to leave the recording studio. Xena opened the door only to be surprised by two familiar faces staring back at her.

"Hello Ms. Xena. It is a pleasure to see you again. I heard you may also be signing a record deal with Kazumi in the near future." Michiru said smiling.

"Since when did the likes of you two work alongside Kazumi? Don't you already have a record deal Ms. Kaioh?" Seiya said a bit distastefully after spotting Haruka. Xena nudged him.



"Seiya, do not speak such harsh words to Ms. Kaioh." Xena scolded. Seiya made an attempt to apologize until Michiru cut in.

"That's quite all right Xena. I know Seiya is only looking out for your well-being and means no harm. Actually Haruka has been meaning to contact you. Isn't that right Haruka?" Michiru said eloquently.

"Umm, yes." Haruka said nervously, stepping in front of Michiru directly in front of Xena. "Xena, I would like to apologize for our fight. It was wrong of me to challenge your status as a sailor senshi. I am sorry I can not heal the physical wounds I have given you. But I do hope we can work to be friends and allies in the ongoing battle with evil."

"I would like that Haruka. I appreciate your apology which must have been a difficult thing for you to do. Seiya and I were just about to go out for dinner. Would you two perhaps like to join us?" Xena offered.

"That would be lovely, wouldn't it Haruka?!" Michiru replied, more than asked.

"Yes it would. Why don't we go to that new restaurant, Sen Zushi, across the street from the Osap jewelery store. I hear they have a wide variety of dishes." Haruka suggested. She quickly realized that Michiru was giving her the opportunity to start making amends.

Seiya didn't like the idea of celebrating with the two Outers, but he didn't want to spoil her good mood. And besides, Haruka had just apologized; perhaps in Xena's mind, this was something else to celebrate as well.

Two hours later, they left the restaurant and decided to go to the park and watch the sun set. Haruka saw that Xena was a good person and silently vowed to make it up to Xena, by being there for the girl when needed. They had no sooner entered the park when the black haired girl heard two voices she had hoped she wouldn't have to hear again.

"Well dear, look what crawled out from under a rock." a woman's voice sneered.

"If it isn't Miss Useless. What are you doing here!" a man's voice answered in the same tone.



"The better question is what are you doing here? You know what, I don't even care. All I'm really going tell you is that I'm living here, and that I'm very happy. My life has gotten better since I left you in America." Xena answered coldly.

"Xena, who are these people?" Seiya asked, watching the couple cautiously.

"Two people I hoped I would never see again; my parents." Xena growled quietly.

"Who are these losers, three people who obviously don't know you aren't worth anything. Can't they tell you're a freak?" the man sneered.

"Excuse me! I happen to be her boyfriend, and very much in love with her." Seiya stated firmly. How dare these two people talk to Xena this way; even if they were her parents.

"And we are only a couple of her many friends she has already made since she's been here. Your daughter is not a freak. So I suggest you watch your mouth...sir." Haruka growled. She couldn't believe the attitude of this man towards his own daughter.

"That's what you say..." Xena's father retorted, prepared to give another snappy comeback until Michiru cut in.

"I suggest we all go our separate..." Michiru politely suggested, but was caught off by a scream near by.

"What was that?!" the man exclaimed, shocked at the sudden noise.

"Guys, I think we..." Haruka started but looked at Xena's parents nervously. She and her fellow senshi needed to transform, but not in front of the couple. Xena smiled mischievously and looked at her parents while sliding her hand inside her skirt pocket where her transformation wand was.

"Eris Chaotic Curse!" Xena mumbled quietly. Immediately her parents staggered and felt to the ground, sound asleep.

"How did you do that without transforming and what...?" Haruka asked puzzled.



"I don't need to transform to use all of my powers; I can do that if I just touch my wand. Now let's transform and get over there. I'll tell you later." Xena informed while pulling out her wand.