A/N: Sorry for the huge delay… writers block… My readers have been pretty quiet. What do you think so far? I hope I'm improving; I don't usually have much trouble with the mushy stuff it's mainly with the bad guys in my opinion. I'm hoping to correct that, so any advice is appreciated… Please review. Hint for understanding statements. Normal speech is standard "spoken aloud", Mind speech is "Italics" and thoughts to self are in brackets (characters thoughts)

Chapter 21 Jealousy of the scorned

It is hard to say goodbye to my family as I most likely won't see them for another year, I feel a little home sick thinking about them and wondering how they will be when I'm gone. On the other hand, my new life with Darien has just begun and I can't wait to see what awaits us.

After saying my final farewells with my family watching on, I slip into Ingo under a gentle wave and turning away swimming towards my future I don't dare resurface. Not far away Darien is waiting for me after giving me some last moments with my family, rushing to him I breakdown crying out sobs and he holds me tight till I calm down and am able to move on.

Along our way I take in all the sights with new eyes seeing all the wonders which are my new home. Darien squeezes my hand and directs me toward a forest of giant kelp.

"Sere, close your eyes. I have a surprise for you," says Darien sweetly as we enter the kelp.

"Okay… I'll go along with it," I say grinning.

Squeezing my hand again Darien draws me through the forest and into a small clearing outside a dark cave. I feel the darkness press against me and I wonder what's going on.

"Wait here," Darien asks letting go of my hand. Then quickly adds, "Keep your eyes closed no peeking."

Smiling I say, "I promise, no peeking."

With my eyes closed and darkness surrounding me I start to feel the warmth of a gentle glow. (What's he doing?)

The warmth increases till I feel the darkness dispelled. Then Darien gently touches my cheek causing me to open my eyes. Staring at me Darien says, "Welcome home my love."

Then realisation dawns on me taking my gaze away from Darien to around the cave; lit by the creatures used by the Mer for lighting. There isn't much to speak of in the way of furnishings. All that is to be found is a cosy home with a kelp bed and a few items in a chest recovered from an old shipwreck, but it's beautiful to me all the same.

"It's not much to speak of at the moment but when we return from our mission we'll make it into the most comfortable home around," Darien says returning my attention to him.

"No Darien it's wonderful. Our home," I say sighing in delight.

"Knock, knock," comes a voice from the outside.

"Come in girls I've been expecting you," calls Darien.

"Ami, Lita," I exclaim happy to see my dear friends.

"Sere! When you said you had confessed you didn't tell us that you guys were going to be life partners," squealed Lita.

"Really? I thought I had," I said slightly guilty.

"Sere, there's a big difference. Your committing completely that's huge! Oh we have so much to do. When is the ceremony?" said Ami with enthusiasm.

"Ceremony?" I question.

"It's a big event for the Mer when a couple become life partners, Darien you should have told her about this already," said Ami.

"Oh, so romantic," sighed Lita. "Don't worry about a thing Sere we'll help you with anything you need." Said Lita, Ami nodded her head in agreement.

"Thankyou my dear friends," I said radiating happiness.

"So Darien, when are we able to have this ceremony, we have a lot going on with our mission and all."
(The realistic Serena appears. Still to fulfil our mission as soon as possible we have a bit of preparation to undertake so we might be able to fit it in)

A cheeky grin spreads across Darien's face.

(Damn it is he reading my mind again)

The grin cracks and Darien can't help releasing a laugh.

Frowning in his direction Darien quickly responds, "I'm sorry Sere, I couldn't help it. I had to know if you really wanted to wait and since I guess not, the preparation I already started will come in handy. The ceremony can be held in two days time."

"I'll let you off this time…"I threatened sweetly.

"You know you love it," Darien replied.

Sensing some hidden conversation the two girls wink at each other and quietly state, "We've got some work to do if were going to have that ceremony soon… so… we'll just be on our way." The girls fled the cave giggling, sensing the sexual tension between the couple.

Turning toward the retreating girls giggles Serena smiles warmly. (They are such great friends)

"Yeah and I thought they'd never leave," remarked Darien.

"Oh, now you've done it! I'm going to get you!" I retaliated.

"Just try and catch me love," returned Darien.

A game of catch me starts in the confined space of the cave. Serena seeing her advantage of the inclosed space leaps in front of the entry to prevent his quick escape.

Darien seeing that he's been trapped smirks. "You've still got to catch me."

Serena dashes from side to side trying to prevent his getting past, While Darien dodges Serena's lunges toward him. Taking a last dash to try and get past. "Now your mine," says Serena latching onto Darien around the waist.

"No dear I believe it is you that is now mine," says Darien putting his arms around Serena. Serena sensing a change in atmosphere looks up into Darien's glittering eyes. Releasing her death grip and swooning in his arms.

"Darien," sighs Serena as Darien raises her up for a passionate kiss.

"Ahem," a voice calls breaking the touching moment. "Thought I'd come by to discuss the ceremony with you both," says Artemis.

(Glad he didn't come any later, I think we need a door of some kind, thought Serena)

Almost suppressing a laugh Darien says, "Come in Artemis that would be greatly appreciated."

Elbowing Darien in the ribs gently I say, "Thankyou Artemis."

"First of all the ceremony is held at daybreak, the new day symbolising your new beginning together. It will be in two days at the gathering site. Prepare yourselves for the joining of your souls, making sure that there are no secrets between you as this could prevent the joining. Once the joining is complete we shall all celebrate the occasion with a feast," Artemis states.

"Second, enjoy yourselves. This is one of the greatest occasions of all. I'll see you both soon I have much to prepare," Artemis finishes; giving the two he considers like his own children each a hug.

The news of the upcoming ceremony of joining between Darien and Serena spreads through the Mer people quickly and soon reaches Emeralds ears.

Fuming with jealousy for Serena's happy event that she has always wanted, Emerald hatches a plan to ruin the day…

Rushing off to Diamonds cave, Emerald discards idea after idea of how to destroy Serena. Entering the cave swiftly Emerald calls out, "Diamond, guess what I just heard? Darien and Serena are having a joining ceremony. This is great I'm going to crush her and bring her to the depths of despair."
A darkness flashes through the cave with a sudden slap across Emeralds face. "YOU! Will do NO! such thing. She is MY PREY! and when I finally destroy her it will be at a time of my choosing. My every waking moment is filled with the desire for revenge and you will not interfere," seethes Diamond.

An extremely jealous Emerald says, "Why can't you just forget her, leave the past and move forward with me. You know that I love you, always have. Please don't waste all your passion on that unworthy thing."

"You forget yourself again I see," says Diamond full of malice.

Cowering Emerald says, "Forgive me my master."

Once dismissed Emerald fled the cave.

After Artemis left Darien showed Serena around her new home, looking at all the small details and effort Darien had put in to warm the cave up. On her first glance she had only noticed the Kelp bed and the chest but on closer inspection she was delighted to find alcoves or additional rooms at the rear of the cave.
One was huge and Darien delighted in telling her, "This will be our personal chamber, but it needs a lot of fixing up. I only managed to clean up the main chamber before your return."

"My imagination is running wild with ideas on what we could do in here… Redecorating I mean," grinned Serena.

"Sure you were," said Darien with his own mischievous grin.

"So tell me more about this ceremony, what do I need to do exactly?" asked Serena

"Well it's similar to the coming of age ceremony. We'll enter the gathering chamber separately meeting Artemis in the centre. Artemis will say a few words and then we will touch the gathering stone together and a sort of connection will be made between us. I'm not sure exactly what kind as no one that has been through the ceremony will explain the connection. Anyway after the connection is completed Artemis announces that we have been joined for all time and then we all enjoy the feast to celebrate. Simple as that," Darien states as a matter of fact.

"Sounds just like a wedding ceremony in the air, well I guess it really is," says Serena.

"For the rest of today we'll just relax and do as Artemis suggested and make sure there are no secrets between us. I really don't want the connection to be rejected by either of us. So lets enjoy something to eat and then we'll talk, okay?" suggested Darien.

"Okay," Serena replied.

Emerald was slinking back and forth in her chamber seething with hatred, until she finally stopped and started laughing. A maniacal laugh which receded into the distance and was swallowed by the sounds of Ingo.

Lita and Ami rush around collecting all of their best clothes and hair pieces for Serena to try. After a while they move on to decorations for the gathering site. Meanwhile Artemis is organising the feast for afterwards and collecting a special item from his vault.

Back with Darien and Serena in their new home discussing any secrets they may still have from each other.

"Oh did I tell you I once had a crush on this boy at school his name was Seiya, but it wasn't meant to be, so I broke it off," said Serena.

"Why the change of heart?" asked Darien.

"Well at the time I was miserable because I was falling in love with you, but you seemed unattainable and distant. He was charming, kind and there for me when I was feeling down and this drew me to him for a while. So I started to develop feelings for someone whom made me feel safe like you do. In the end though I realised that my feelings for him were only minor and I only wanted Seiya to be my friend," replied Serena.

"How did Seiya react to all this?"

"He said, 'I just want you to be happy.' He continued to be my friend till I left middle school and we parted ways, telling each other to keep in contact, but we never did. I entered high school and started coming to Ingo more often. Life didn't leave much room left over for distant friends. But that's all in the past. Why were you so distant back then?"

"Um, you were right I was distant back then… Firstly I didn't think you were ready for my feelings… I deeply cared for you and this was noticed by my relatives and then I was being pressured into a relationship with this other Mer. She was quiet and beautiful and I did have an interest in her once. My family hoped that I would renew interest in her. She was in love with another Mer though and when it was revealed that I was half Mer, she followed the opinion of the one she loved. 'Those half bloods taint the Mer and should be cast out' they would call and taunt me. Hence I couldn't like someone so easily swayed into hatred. My family found out about it so they stopped pressuring me and left me to my training with Artemis."

"Secrets can be hard to bear sometimes. I know how proud you were to be Mer and to have other Mer say you will taint them must have been hard to endure."

"He's not here anymore to taunt me; he was one of the exiles cast out after the death of your father. Emerald won't forget that her love was cast out. She has a dark streak in her now."

"That's sad to hear, I hope one day she will return to the quiet, beautiful Mer she was before… Lets see is there anything else I haven't shared with you?" talking aloud to herself.

"I can't think of anything at the moment, how about you?"

(You care so much for others without even a second thought. Just another reason why I love you Serena.)

"Hello Darien.. Darien … Ingo calling Da..ri..en," said Serena waving her hand in front of Darien's face.

Darien reaches out and grabs Serena's hand, using it to pull her towards him. Darien embraces Serena not wanting to let her go.

Feeling a touch on my mind I send out, "Darien?"

"Serena there is something I have been keeping from you… nothing bad. But I don't want there to be anything kept secret between us."

"What is it Darien?"

"I want you so much that it hurts to keep on suppressing. I know we can't, but it doesn't stop me wanting to."

"Darien, your not alone, I feel the same way. Connect our link deeper share your feelings with me."

I lift my head and kiss Darien, wrapping my arms around his neck.

"Brace yourself Serena this maybe a shock. Okay I'm releasing my barriers now."

A flood of memories and feelings hit me followed by a surge of unbridled passion. Unconsciously I deepen the kiss and release my own barrier. We search through each others feelings and desires, like a gentle caress we accept each others needs. We come across our desires to have a family, but for now we know it can't be and Darien releases me, rebuilding his barrier.

"One day Darien, we will find a way."

I gently kiss him on the cheek letting him know that it's alright to feel sad. Darien tightens his embrace "It's late shall we try to get some rest," sends Darien.

Thats it for this update. Next chapter 22 Merphies Law