A/N: Here's chapter eleven! Don't really have much to say…so, you know, forgive OOCness and minor errors! Please enjoy!
Disclaimer: Nope, still don't own anything but the time it took to write this all up.
No End in Sight
Chapter 11: The Secret's Out
Eight Sailor Soldiers stared in muted shock at Serena as she finished her tale. Her blue eyes were locked on an invisible spot on the table, tears swimming again in her depths. Darien silently wrapped an arm around her shoulders and gave a gentle squeeze.
"But…you can't!" Raye declared forcefully, her own violet eyes sparkling with tears.
"Raye's right, you can't leave…there has to be something we can do!" Mina agreed, leaning forward to see around Darien, whom she was sitting beside, to get a better look at Serena.
Amara scoffed. "Like what? We can't exactly force her family to stay in Tokyo."
"But we can't just give up…" Lita stated, her own tears building, as she clenched her fists on the table top.
"What'll we do?" Ami asked softly, staring down at the table from her seat beside Mina, as a thin line of tears slid down her cheeks.
Serena sniffled and Darien looked down at her. "Serena," he prodded gently, urging her to continue.
The table fell silent again as they realized that she had more to tell them. At length, Serena whispered, "I'm going to tell them."
"Tell them what?" Raye asked hesitantly.
"The truth. About me." At this, Serena looked up confidently, the tears pooling in her eyes not quite escaping. "None of you have to come with me; I understand if you don't want to. But it's the only thing I can think of that might convince them to stay, and I can't leave…. So I'm going to tell them everything. Tonight."
"It would be incredibly dangerous for you to reveal your true identity to them, Princess. Surly you know that?" Trista stated calmly.
Serena nodded. "Yes. But living for at least a year in Okinawa seems more dangerous to me than telling my family the truth. And I'm willing to take that risk, if it means even having a chance of staying here."
"Them knowing your secret puts them more at risk than they already are," Amara pointed out.
Serena shifted her attention to the other woman. "Does it, really? It'll be easier for me to protect them if I don't have to worry about them seeing me transform. Each and every one of them have already been brought into battles against my enemies at least once. And I could stop lying to them, telling them I'm studying late at Raye's or Ami's when I'm really running off to fight an alien monster. I know they'll worry more, but at least they'll finally know me. And if an enemy figures out who I am, again, they'll target them regardless of whether or not they know my real identity."
"She's got a point," Michelle relented, looking over at Amara.
"And you're sure about this?" Ami asked after a moment of silence.
Serena offered her friend a small, sincere smile and nodded. "Yes, I am." She paused for a long moment before looking around the table again, adding, "I'm not asking any of you to reveal yourselves. I just want you to know that I'm going to. I'm sure some of you will be mad at me for it, and I'm sorry about that, but it's not going to change my decision. I hope you can understand. Now, I think I'm going to go for a walk. I'll see you all later."
After Serena had slipped from the booth and out of the arcade, Darien turned back to the group of women around him, his expression serious.
"You knew about her plan?" Trista asked almost immediately.
He inclined his head briefly. "Yes. And it would mean a lot to her if all of you could at least respect her decision."
"You think it's a good idea?" Michelle inquired.
"I do." Darien replied honestly. After a brief pause, he added, "She won't ask it of you, but I know she'd like all of your support tonight. I'm going to be there with her, to help her break the news to her family. All I ask is that you consider it." Standing, he said, "I'm going to go find her." And then he turned and walked out of the arcade, pausing long enough to pay Andrew for his and Serena's orders.
Mina slid down to the edge of the booth to make a bit more room for them all. Everyone obediently spread out as they thought about Darien's, and Serena's, arguments.
He found her sitting on the bench that surrounded the fountain, head down, shoulders shaking ever-so-slightly. She was crying again.
Silently, he sat down beside her and tilted his head up to the sky. After a moment, he said, "It'll be ok, Serena."
"How can you be sure?" She replied shakily, looking up at him. Her tears were no longer flowing, but they still gathered in front of her eyes.
Smiling, Darien looked down and met her gaze. "Because I intend to make sure I'm right. And I have a feeling."
"What sort of feeling?" Serena asked curiously.
Wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her against him, Darien replied, "Just a feeling." As he spoke, he handed her a single, freshly-blossomed red rose.
Serena gasped and a small smile formed on her face as she took the offering carefully and held it close. Resting her head against his chest, she whispered, "I love you, Darien."
"I love you, too, Serena."
Her stomach shrank as she stared up at her house. She had no idea what to expect once she stepped inside. She hadn't so much as called since the night before, so she knew her mother would be angry. And I expect to get a word in edge wise? Ha, get real, Serena. With a shake of her head, she drew a deep breath for courage and entered her home.
Everything looked the same…normal. Sammy's stuff was waiting beside her usual school bag; everyone's shoes, except for hers, were resting in the entryway. The television echoed down the hall, where she knew her father was probably watching the news. Water was boiling in the kitchen.
Kicking off her shoes, Serena walked down the hall and peered into the kitchen. As she'd suspected, a covered pot of boiling water rested on the stove-top. Her mother stood at the counter, her back facing the entryway, chopping vegetables for salad.
"You came home finally," Ikuko declared before Serena could speak.
The blonde hesitated, sighed, and said, "Yes. I'm sorry for what I said last night, Mama…"
Ikuko finally set down the knife and turned, tears in her own eyes, to face her daughter. She smiled sadly, wiping her hands on her apron before crossing the kitchen to stand before her. "I won't lie, Serena. I was hurt by what you said. But I can't say I was surprised at all that anger. I'm so sorry for just dropping this on you and your brother, but we didn't want to say anything until it was final. And it isn't like you couldn't ever visit, you know."
Serena swallowed the lump in her throat, forcing herself not to cry yet. "Do you and Dad ever plan to move back?"
Her mother hesitated, and Serena knew the answer before it was spoken. "I don't think so…there wouldn't be any reason to, dear. I know you have friends here, but you'll make friends in Okinawa. And if Darien loves you as much as you love him, the two of you will work something out."
Serena shook her head softly and met her mother's gaze. "I still really don't want to move, and I'm going to think of something to change your mind, but…if we do move…I want you to understand that I'll be moving back to Tokyo as soon as I can. Because Tokyo is my home."
"Serena…" Ikuko whispered, surprised by her daughter's determination and seriousness.
"Welcome back, Meatball Head," Sammy declared suddenly as he walked up. The usual teasing tone was gone from his voice as he nodded at his sister, then his mother, and slipped past them both to grab a soda from the fridge.
As they watched the youngest Tsukino head back down the hallway, towards the stairs, the phone rang.
"Oh, Serena, will you get that?" Ikuko requested as she turned and began working again with the vegetables.
Nodding, the blonde jogged down the hall and snatched up the ringing telephone.
"Hello, Tsukino residence?"
"Serena? It's Raye."
"Oh, hey, Raye. What's…up?" Serena asked hesitantly. She was sure the fiery priestess wanted to lecture her on her decision.
On the other end, the soldier of Mars hesitated before saying, "We talked about…today…and…whatever you decide, we'll stand behind you."
Serena's eyes widened in shock. "Really?"
"Yes, 'really'! But we were worried there wouldn't be enough room in your house for all of us…."
Serena frowned, realizing her friend was right. It would be extremely crowded in their house if all of the Scouts, Tuxedo Mask, and her family were standing -or sitting- around. Finally, she said, "Maybe we could all meet at the park tonight? Dinner's almost ready, so it would have to be after…how about eight o'clock?"
"I'll call the girls and tell them to be there. Should I call Darien, too?"
"No, I'll call him."
"'Kay. Then we'll see you at the park, Meatball Head!" Raye declared before promptly hanging up.
Serena stared at the phone for a long second after she'd hung up. A soft, happy smile lit up her face. I should've known my friends wouldn't let me down…now I have to try and not let them down.
"Mom, I'm gonna go upstairs, ok? Let me know when dinner's ready!" Serena hollered down the hall before sprinting for the stairs.
Luna looked up at her as soon as she stepped into the room, but she remained silent until Serena had shut the door, snatched the cordless phone, and sat down beside her on the bed.
"Where have you been, Serena? I heard your mother say you slept over at Raye's last night." Luna demanded firmly.
Serena looked down at her guardian feline, belatedly realizing that she probably didn't know about the situation yet. Setting her phone down, she reached over and scratched Luna's ears gently.
"Oh, Luna, I'm sorry. I forgot you didn't know."
"Know what? What's going on, Serena? Your brother's been moping around the house all afternoon, but I can't catch enough of the conversation to learn anything."
"Mom and Dad have decided we're moving to Okinawa in three weeks. At the end of the school year."
Luna's red eyes widened. "What?! Why?"
Releasing her cat, Serena's gaze glossed over as she looked down at the carpeted floor. "Because they're tired of all the dangerous, crazy things that keep happening. They want to get away from the danger."
Luna sighed and rested her head on her forepaws. "I suppose that's understandable, even admirable, but utterly pointless in their case. Taking Princess Serenity and the Silver Crystal away from the Sailor Scouts will be catastrophe."
"I'm not going," Serena declared, clutching the phone in her lap. Luna looked up at her, startled.
"You're not?"
"Not without a fight."
As Serena picked up the phone and began dialing Darien's number, Luna asked, "And what do you intend to do?"
Placing the phone to her ear, Serena patted the feline's head. "Hush, Luna. I'll tell you everything in a minute."
"Hey, Serena," Darien declared as he answered the phone.
"Hey, Darien. I heard from Raye a few minutes ago."
She could hear the lifted eyebrows in his voice a moment later. "Oh? And?"
"They're going to support me. But my place is kinda too small, so we're going to try and meet up in the park around eight. Can you make it?"
Darien chuckled on the other end. "Of course I can. Let me know if the plan changes; otherwise, I'll see you at eight."
"Great. Thanks, Darien. See you soon." Serena replied before they both hung up.
Luna was looking skeptically at her when she returned her attention to the cat. "What are you scheming?" The guardian demanded knowingly.
Serena sighed, set down the phone, and told the plan to her cat. She knew Luna would strongly disapprove, but she wasn't changing her mind.
To her surprise, Luna's reaction was simple. "That's the best you can do in this situation, I suppose."
Serena blinked. "You…approve?"
"No, not at all. I think the entire thing is horrible; but considering the circumstances, our other two options are extremely unacceptable. So I won't try to stop you."
"Serena, Sammy! Dinner!" Ikuko called.
Giving the cat a quick hug, Serena cried, "Oh, thank you, Luna! After this, at least you won't have to hide from my family anymore. I'll bring you some milk!"
"Thanks for dinner, honey," Mr. Tsukino declared gratefully, wiping his mouth with his napkin as Ikuko scooped up the final plates from the table.
Sammy mumbled his own gratitude and pushed his chair back, preparing to disappear for the night in his room.
Serena reached out and dropped a hand on his shoulder, silently asking him to stay for a minute even as she looked out towards their parents. Sammy hesitated but remained.
"Mom, Dad…can we go to the park tonight?"
Everyone looked curiously over at her, Ikuko pausing with the plates in her hands. Finally, she said, "Why would we do that?"
Serena hesitated, eventually saying, "I…I have something important I want to talk to everyone about, and I want to…go to the park. Please."
"What time?" Ikuko asked calmly.
"Eight?"
Mr. and Mrs. Tsukino exchanged a long look before finally turning back to their daughter and Ikuko straightened. As she turned towards the sink to do her dishes, she said, "Alright. We'll go to the park at eight. But you have to do dishes."
Serena beamed and jumped to her feet. "Deal!"
Luna in her arms, Serena stood at the railing that separated those who visited the park from the lake beyond. She smiled contentedly as memories of her and Darien, on a date, rowing out onto the lake, swam across her mind's eye. Memories that would have to sustain her if her family insisted on moving.
"I still can't believe you brought your cat," Sammy mumbled, standing beside her and resting his chin on the railing.
"She's family," Serena said defensively. Luna meowed softly in agreement.
"Alright, Serena, we're here. What did you want to tell us about?" Ikuko asked, taking a seat on the nearest bench beside her husband.
Serena looked at her watch, stalling. It was just past eight; the girls and Darien would be there any minute.
"Well, I…" Luna started squirming, freeing herself from Serena's grasp, and leapt gracefully to the ground. Serena, startled, turned half-around and froze as she saw Darien stop a few feet away, one hand in his trouser pocket. Her eyes lit up and she ran to him. "Darien!"
Darien caught her with practiced ease, wrapping his arms around her shoulders and giving her a loving squeeze before letting go. "Sorry I'm a bit late; where're the girls?" He whispered.
Serena stepped back and shrugged. "Probably on their way. You're not that late."
"Serena," Ikuko called from the bench, earning her daughter's attention. "What is it you wanted to talk about? We can't sit out here forever, it's a school night."
The couple walked over until Serena was standing roughly half-way between the bench and the railing. Luna walked up and sat quietly beside her feet as Darien stopped a few inches back, on her other side.
"There's something I want to tell you, but I can't start until the girls get here." Serena declared calmly, her hands clasped in front of her.
"C'mon, Serena…you just have to accept it. Mom and Dad have made up their minds; even if all your friends start sobbing they're not going to change their decision." Sammy stated somberly, crossing the walkway and dropping down on the bench beside his parents.
"Is that what this is?" Ikuko asked, looking briefly over at Sammy before returning her attention to Serena.
"Sorry we're late!" Four girls chorused before Serena could answer her mother's question as they raced up and gathered around Serena and Darien, on the lake side.
Serena turned and smiled at her friends. "'S ok, I'm always late for everything."
"Oh, trust me, we know," Raye teased, winking at her friend.
"But this time it was my fault," Mina admitted as she released Artemis, who went over and sat beside Luna. "I fell asleep."
"Looks like we're all here," Amara declared as she, Michelle, Trista, and Hotaru stepped up beside Darien calmly.
Serena smiled over at them genuinely. "Thank you for coming, everyone."
"Alright, Serena," Ikuko declared firmly, drawing everyone's attention once more. "Please tell me this isn't an elaborate scheme to make us stay in Tokyo."
Serena met her mother's gaze solidly, taking a deep breath. She honestly had no idea how any of them would take this revelation. "I suppose you could put it that way…yes, I want to stay here. This is my home; everyone here, they're my family. But the point of this isn't me begging you to change your mind. Tonight, I want you to fully understand why I can't move. That's why I asked you all to come out here."
"Serena, don't be ridiculous. You're over dramatizing the situation; making it worse for yourself." Ikuko argued.
Serena shook her head. "Please, just…listen. I don't know how else to explain it…."
Ikuko sighed heavily and finally nodded. "We're already out here; we might as well hear what you've got to say. Why did you drag so many of your friends out here so late on a school night?"
"Mama, Daddy, Sammy…there's something I've been hiding from you…for a long time now…and it's time you knew the truth about me." Serena stated seriously.
The confusion and concern that immediately appeared on her family's faces was completely expected.
"Oh, god, you're pregnant!" Her father declared loudly, jumping to his feet.
"What?!" The Scouts and Darien chorused incredulously, even as Serena's and Darien's faces flamed for a few long seconds.
Serena threw her hands up, palms out and fingers splayed, shaking them vigorously. "No, no, no, no!"
Her father deflated slightly. "Are you sure?"
"Yes!" Serena assured. Her father muttered something and collapsed back on the bench.
"So what is it, then?" Ikuko asked, patting her husband's shoulder sympathetically.
Serena hesitated, finally saying, "I…don't know how to say it, really. I mean, I do, but…you won't believe me. Is it ok if I just show you?"
"Of course it is, dear," Ikuko assured, still thoroughly confused about her daughter's actions. She watched as Darien squeezed her hand and Lita patted her opposite shoulder encouragingly. They were clearly well aware of whatever this big secret was.
Taking a visible deep breath, Serena reached up, plucked her favorite broach off of her school blouse, and held her arm high above her head as she spoke three words that threw her family for another loop.
"Moon Eternal Power!"
The broach opened, the crystal within flashed, and Serena's body glowed brightly. She was surrounded by feathers and ribbons one second and then, suddenly, in her place was Sailor Moon.
To Be Continued…
A/N: The reveal is half-over! Can you withstand the tension?? LOL, sorry…couldn't resist. Anyway, please tell me what you thought and read on!
