Strong Destiny, Weak Heart

Lone Warrior

Chapter 14

Disclaimer: I wish I could take credit for Sailor Moon! Alas, not my creation, only this story is.

Previously on Strong Destiny, Weak Heart:

"I'll call Serena over now." Mina said, not liking the sound of Rei going over to Darien's at all, and anxious to hear what Serena would think of the whole thing.

All Mina told her on the phone was that Darien was not there, and that she would be able to train with them today. She also told her she would fill her in on the details when she got there. Serena was happy to see her friends again, but she noticed right away that Rei didn't scold her for taking so long to get there. "Where's Rei?" She asked, the girls all looked at her, unsure how to tell her what the new plan was.

And now the continuation...

Chapter 14

Ami was the first to answer, always the logical one. "Rei went over to Darien's place. We're trying out some new training techniques with him, and she's going to teach him to meditate, and since you can't be around him she's going to teach him at his place, so that we can still all train here."

"What? But...um...okay..." Serena had no excuse why it shouldn't happen, but she still felt a 'zing' in her heart at hearing it.

"Also Serena, Darien will no longer be training with us so you can come back permanently." Mina said, trying to stop Serena from the negative thoughts of him.

"Why? He doesn't have to do that...I was already planning on training by myself." Serena said, sad that she may have chased Darien away from the rest of the scouts. "So is he just going to train with Rei from now on?"

"Don't be silly Serena. Meditation is all about effort, not training. Once she teaches him, which will probably take a week, he'll probably use one of your training ground 'spots' to train with the cyborg I'm going to build him, and Rei will be back to training with us." Ami spoke with confidence. She thought the plan was perfect, she couldn't understand why Serena was being so uncooperative with the arrangement. Serena felt a bit of relief, but it escaped Ami's attention. Only Mina really caught it.

"I still don't see why he isn't training with you guys." Serena said, trying to understand Darien's point of view.

"Well, the bottom line is we both realized it would be better for you to train with us. In case the cyborg has bugs. I can make adjustments and you won't get hurt. If Darien gets hurt, he'll be able to heal himself. It's just better all around, that's all." Serena began to understand and Ami finally finished explaining.

"We'll have to visit him though." Lita said, almost already missing him. He was the only one that could relate to having parents killed at a young age. Her parents had died in a plane crash when she was younger, and now she lived in her own place. They didn't talk often, but in the past months, they did find time to 'bond' and almost therapeutically help each other by relating to one another. It was nice to know someone else knew how she was feeling sometimes, when no one else understood, and she was overwhelmed with sadness.

"Please do, I...I hope he doesn't get lonely." That was Serena's worst fear. Now that she had found him, she never wanted him to be alone again. At the same time, she was afraid of him spending time with Rei. She would tell herself she didn't care, and she was finally getting what she wanted, but she couldn't convince her heart. It was honestly frustrating her to no end. The more her heart pushed her to Darien, the more she wanted to have a normal love life with Reagan. She was conflicted and painfully so, her decisions affecting more people every time she thought about it. She trusted Rei like a sister, but even sisters were known to steal boyfriends. She knew she didn't have any claim to him right now, and she couldn't think of who'd she'd prefer him to be with, in the end, she smiled. Rei was better than some strange bimbo off the street, and with the scouts she'd always have some kind of tie to him.

"We'll make sure at least one of us visits him daily." Mina smiled at her. Mina was also going to miss her connection with him. A sort of 'line' into the guy world. She often asked Darien about why guys did the things they did. From what she could tell, not only was he honest, but his answers always made sense. Serena smiled back, appreciating the effort they were making for her. She never realized, the scouts now thought of him as a true friend to them too, and not just Serena's boyfriend or ex.

"So, are we done talking and ready to train?" Ami asked, anxious to see Serena's abilities finally really tested. She's the only one who really didn't seem worried about anything. She genuinely felt that everything would work out the way it should. Everyone nodded in agreement and they split off Lita with Mina pairing up, and Ami setting up and monitoring the cyborg. She had the cyborg set up for test mode, after which, she focused on training herself, while the cyborg mostly observed Serena and waited for her to attack, measuring her abilities, and Ami was reading a book on different fighting styles. She was trying to expand her physical abilities, since she was the weakest one when it came to hand-to-hand combat. After an hour of observing, the cyborg finally made a few moves toward Serena. Ami knew her 'student' well, and she made it a priority to have the cyborg work up slowly enough that Serena wouldn't notice how good she actually got, it would come naturally.

The week went by quickly, with the routine in place. Serena felt strange not seeing Darien every day anymore. She wasn't sure what to make of it, yet still committed to not letting Reagan down. When Rei was finally back for training, she was anxious to ask her how he was doing. Rei wasn't sure how much effort she'd have to put in for the plan to work, but she knew Serena not seeing him would make it a lot easier to fulfill, or at least she hoped. Ami, and Mina started to train, while Lita was waiting for Rei, as Ami had instructed who would be in pairs when Rei got back beforehand.

"Rei! Welcome back! How is Darien doing?" Rei blushed. Knowing the answer she and Darien talked about for just such a question.

"Um, he's doing well. I'm actually going to stop by after training to check on him too."

"Oh, is it your turn? Shouldn't you get a break since you were with him all last week?" Serena said, a bit confused, hoping she was overreacting when she pictured Darien and Rei together.

"Um, yeah, but, we are sort of enjoying spending time together." Rei blushed after she said it, but it helped her situation. Serena wasn't sure how to respond, all she was sure of, was that she wasn't comfortable with Rei visiting with him so often.

"So who are you going with after training?" Serena asked, hoping she wasn't visiting him alone.

"I'm going by myself, what's it to you meatball head?" Rei was getting a little more than embarrassed. She was getting frustrated with Serena being so possessive, and wanting two guys at once. Serena was in shock, she didn't think Rei would get offended, and the flush in her face told her more than she wanted to know.

"Okay Rei, I'm sorry. You're right. It's not my business. But Rei, if it had to be someone, I'm glad it's you." Serena had tears in her eyes and turned away as she ran to the cyborg to train. Rei felt badly for her, but she was also angry that she just seemed to accept the fact that she was with Darien. She could see her feelings were clearly hurt, but that didn't change the fact that she wasn't fighting for her man! She began to realize how loving a person Serena really was. She just wanted everyone to be happy, even if it hurt her, she truly didn't have a single bad bone in her body. Rei realized she would most likely not fight her for Darien, she had to tell him that their plan was doomed for failure. Darien on the other hand, was blinded by wanting her back, and wouldn't give up on the 'plan' so easily. She pondered her options, as she was partnered with Lita to train. Lita easily saw the stress on Rei's face, and wasn't sure whether to ask her about it or not. Finally, they took a break after a couple hours, and Rei walked into the fire room to contemplate what she should do. Lita followed her in, and asked her why she was so distracted. She didn't want to go back on the plan, so she told Lita that she and Darien had begun dating.

"I knew it!" Lita said, anger evident in her voice. "I knew you would do this Rei! How could you? And to one of your best friends!"

"Hey, I was with him before Serena got her memories back from the Moon Kingdom! I've always been attracted to him! Now that they're not together, why shouldn't we?"

"Because you know it's not right! You know they belong together!"

"If that's so true, then why can't Serena see it? Why is she still with Reagan, why is she torturing him? Look, I know you've gotten closer to Darien, we all have. Can you honestly tell me that you're okay with Darien being alone while she's with Reagan? And you said I didn't have a heart! You're the one who can easily bare to see him in such pain without her! The meditation is helping him, he's finding it a lot easier to control his emotions, but that doesn't make it any easier to watch him suffer! Not to me at least!"

"Rei, you know we all care about him, but this whole situation doesn't feel right." Lita saw Rei tearing up, and realized how strongly and badly she felt for Darien. "We just want them back together." Lita tried to comfort.

"You don't think if she told me she wanted him back I'd give him back? And willingly! The bottom line is she doesn't want him, not now at least. Lita, she gave me her 'blessing' to be with him! I couldn't believe it!" Lita was in shock. She couldn't believe what Rei was saying, but at the same time, she knew it to be true.

"Are you serious?" Rei just nodded her head in agreement. "Do you think she doesn't care about him anymore?" This time she shook her head no in response.

"I don't think that's the case at all. I think she's just that loving a person. She loves all of us, and if Darien and I can make each other happy, then she's not going to fight for him." Lita understood what Rei was saying, but she couldn't believe, knowing why Serena would accept it, she still seemed content with Darien.

"Rei, I may of accused you before, but I do know you. This isn't you. Something's going on. Spill." Rei began to blush profusely and turned away.

"I don't know what you mean." She wiped her tears from her face.

"Look at yourself! Whatever is going on is tearing you apart! If you were really with Darien, you wouldn't be so torn up about you being with him!" Rei didn't know what to say, she was caught, and she knew it. She knew Darien wouldn't be happy with the scouts in on their little scheme, but what if only one knew? It would also help to have someone to talk to about her situation. She decided it best to tell Lita, but it wouldn't go past her, or so she hoped. She then told Lita everything. Lita was in shock to say the least, but she was glad to see that Rei hadn't really betrayed her friend. She saw Darien's plan and thought it would work also, they just needed time, and a few well placed 'seeds of deception' which she was more than willing to plant.

"Lita, you're the only one that can know. I can't risk anyone else, including the other scouts, knowing. I don't know how Darien's going to react to you knowing as it is."

"Yeah, I got it. No worries." Lita knew that she forced it out of her, but she wouldn't let any of the other scouts do the same. She would now protect their secret, for their sake, and Serena's. After they walked out they found the other scouts around the cyborg drinking some juices.

"Where were you guys?" Mina asked innocently.

"I just had to tell Rei how I felt about her and Darien dating." She responded honestly.

"Lita!" Serena said, embarrassed about Lita trying to keep Darien single for her sake. "Darien shouldn't be alone! I'm happy that he can be happy with someone, just like I am." Serena said, blushing at the truth. Mina looked at Serena, and decided to really see if she can read how Serena really felt.

"Serena, how do you feel about Darien right now? Have your feelings for him changed?" Mina asked, trying to get to the bottom of her heartache.

"No, not at all. Mina, I just want him to be happy. I can't say that I'm not happy with Reagan."

"Are you falling for Reagan? "

"I...yes. I know I am."

"Is being a normal teenager that important to you? Are you forcing yourself to fall for another man, just to have some type of normalcy?"

"No! It's not like that! I just, I honestly feel a connection to him."

"But you have a strong connection to Darien! Serena, I'm sorry, but please, just help me understand!" Mina begged. She saw no benefit to this. She couldn't understand how she could love another man enough to rival her love for Darien.

"I don't know Mina! I can't understand it myself! I just know Reagan makes me happy, and I'm not ready to let go of that. I don't know if I'll ever be able to."

"So you're saying you want him more than Darien?"

"Right now? Yeah. But only because I know there's something there that I can't ignore."

"I thought that's how you felt about Darien! He wanted to get back with you before you were even dating Reagan. I just can't understand why you'd turn him down before you even knew if Reagan would want to be with you!"

"I don't know! I can only follow my heart, and right now, it's pulling me to Reagan. I can't just ignore it and wonder what could have been. I'm sorry. I'm sorry to all of you, I'm sorry to Darien. I'm selfish, I know. I'm not going to have any regrets." She said it with such determination, even though she was crying.

"But I thought this started just because you wanted to be normal."

"It did start that way, but now. I don't know, it feels like something more. Like something is pulling me to him and I can't go back. I wouldn't want to, feeling as torn as I am. I can't say this enough, Darien deserves all of me."

"What about Reagan? Is he getting all of you? Can you tell me that you don't think about Darien when you're with him?"

"Well, when I'm with Reagan it's hard to think about Darien. He always takes me places Darien never has. He tries his best to put him out of my mind, and for the most part it works. But I do think about him afterwards. I find myself wishing he's happy, and hoping that I'm not hurting him."

"Serena, no matter what you do at this point, if you're not with him, you're going to hurt him." Mina said, sensing she needn't say more. No one could believe the conversation that had just taken place. They didn't know what to believe. Could Serena really be falling for another man? No one wanted to believe it, but they heard it straight from her. They decided to let it go, it obviously was Serena that was keeping them apart, and they weren't going to get back together until she was ready. No one really wanted to see her cry anymore either. They decided not to bring it up unless she did.

Rei headed to Darien's apartment after training. She told him what happened, and how Lita knew everything. He just smiled. He was grateful that they could have an 'outsiders' view and advice for the plan, which relieved Rei. "Darien, are you sure you want to continue with the plan?"

"Yeah, if she thinks we're together, it will make her feel better and she'll feel less guilty." He wore a sad smile. She realized what was really going on in his head. This wasn't just about making her jealous, this was about making her feel better. Having her feel less guilty or guiltless. She couldn't believe how much he loved her. Had this been her situation, she'd have ripped the other girls heart out. She suddenly remembered Darien's comment when she quizzed him, and smiled. She finally understood where he had come from. "If she doesn't get jealous, I just want her to be happy. a frown should never be worn on an angel's face."

"Darien, I'm so sorry, about everything."

"Don't be, I'm not worried. I'm sure everything will work out for the best."

"Isn't that my line to you?"

"I guess you just finally convinced me."

"Yeah, good thing too, cause I think I'm starting to waiver!" They both laughed.

"Rei, do you want to go out? It will probably be good for both of us to go out and be seen too, you know." Rei agreed and they decided to make it a regular thing, and instead of seeing him every day, she'd give the other girls a chance to visit with him. They agreed to go out three times a week also, but made sure they were different days then Serena and Reagan. Though running into them may help their cause, they didn't want to risk falling apart and reveling the truth. It seemed to really help that he wasn't seeing Serena, and even though he missed her, it was easier to not see how happy she might be without him, and see the pity for him in her eyes.

To Be Continued...

A/N: Thank you to all reviewers! You guys are awesome! Also, I forgot to mention this earlier, xx Twilight Princess xx and I have a community called 'Eternal Love, Roses and Wings' with only Serena and Darien pairing stories and they must be first time writers! Show us/them some love by reading and reviewing stories on our community! Please no flames, we're all learning! ;)

h t t p : / / w w w . f a n f i c t i o n . n e t / c o m m u n i t y / E t e r n a l _ L o v e _ R o s e s _ a n d _ W i n g s / 9 8 3 2 6 /

Special Thanks/Mention: xx Twilight Princess xx, loveinthebattlefield, PrettyVchan, and Sailor Pluto

And thanks so much for commenting on my other story too Sailor Pluto! You're an awesome friend!