Seiya left and Mina came in with a tiny duffel bag. She looked worried and even more exausted. The poor girl had dark circles under her eyes and her hair was a disaster. She looked pale, and wore no makeup. Her trademark bright red bow was nowhere to be found.
"I brought you some extra clothes Sere," she said, tossing the bag on her bed. "Hurry up so we can get to the guy's house as soon as possible. I wanna get this over with," Serena stared at her sister. "You okay?" Serena walked to her and nodded. To Minas surprise, she fell to her knees and wrapped her arms around her waist. Serena buried her nose in Minas stomach and breathed in the sweet, flowery scent of her. Mina took a step back to steady herself, than wrapped her arms around her head. Serena squeezed her, hoping to make up for some of the bad times she had caused, and all the times she denied Mina hugs.
"I love you," she said. Mina smiled and pulled her closer. It was kind of wierd to be hugging Serena. For a long time, she had hated to be touched.
"Aww Sere I love you too," she said with a smile. Serena stood up.
"I should get dressed," she said, as she grabbed the bag and went into the bathroom. She pulled on the skinny jeans, neon yellow tank top, white studded belt, and the Invader Zim jacket Mina had packed for her. She brushed her hair back and looked at herself in the mirror. Getting bored with her usual wearing the hair down, she grabbed some pins from the bag and fixed her hair up so she had two buns resting on top of her head, with her long hair streaming down from them. Kelly had once done that style on her while playing with her hair and she had loved it. With a small chuckle at the memory, Serena grabbed the empty bag and left. Mina's eyes widened when she saw her hair.
"Nice style," she said. Serema gave her a small smile.
"I know...lets get this over with," she said. Together, they walked out to face their father. Serena had to clench her jaw to keep it from dropping. Their dads eyes were bloodshot, his hair was a mess, and his clothes looked like he had been rolling on the floor. THis was not the man she was used to. Not at all.
"Oh my god Serena," he said in a small voice as he grabbed her and pulled her in a tight embrace. Serena stiffened and Mina narrowed her eyes.
"Dad, theres nobody around. Cut the shit and lets go," Serena said as she tried to pull away from him. He rested his chin on her head and shook his head. "let GO!" she nearly yelled, trying to step away from him. Instead, he picked her up bridal style and cradled her.
"Put her down dad," Mina said. He gave her a quick squeeze, then gently set her back to ground. Serena walked angrily away from him. Mina ran to catch up with her. When they got down to the front desk, he checked Serena out. "Sere, Yaten and Taiki are waiting outside...come on lets go," she looked up at their dad. "We're going with friends...see you later," she said coldly before grabbing Serenas arm and dragging her out of the hospital, without even waiting for a response.
"Mina...you're hurting my arm!" she cried before Mina dropped it.
"I'm sorry," she said. Serena nodded.
"Its okay...Mina what happened with you and dad?" Mina walked faster.
"Serena I already told you nothing happened,"
"Something happened obviously. I can tell. I'm not stupid,"
"Just got into a fight thats all. Now lets go," Mina pointed out the van and began running towards it. Serena ran to catch up with her.. Mina slid upen the van door, climbed in, and gave Yaten a kiss.
"Hey there Mina," he said with a smile. "Serena," he said with a nod. Serena silently climbed in and shut the door.
"Hello Serena," Taiki said, looking at her in the review mirror and smiling. "How are you feeling?" Serena gave him a small smile.
"I'm feeling alright, thank you," Taiki pulled out of the parking lot and they silently drove towards their condo.
"Would you like something to eat?" Taiki asked, looking in the review mirror.
"That hospital food looked horrible," Mina said, shuddering at the memory of seeing nurses pass out trays of horrid looking food. Taiki pulled into a McDonalds. After getting their food, he pulled into a parking space and they began to eat. After a long period of that dreadful awkward silence, Serena broke the ice.
"Yaten...ahh...thank you," he turned around to look at her.
"For...?" he asked, wiping crumbs off of his face.
"Helping me get to the hospital," she said. Yaten turned back around.
"No problem. I'd do it again if you tried to pull another stupid stunt like that," Serena frowned. Mina leaned over and whispered in her ear.
"Its a compliment," she said. Serena nodded. Trust Yaten to throw a bit of his asshole attitude into a compliment.
"Can I see your...arm?" Yaten suddenly asked, turning around to face her. Taiki turned to glare at him.
"Yaten what is wrong with you? You shouldn't be asking those types of questions!" he yelled.
"Its okay," Serena said. Yaten had pretty much seen her arms already anyway. As for Taiki...well, she would be staying with then for awhile and he was sure to see it sooner or later. After seeing so many disapproving looks from doctors and nurses, she really didn't care who saw anymore. She pushed up the sleeve of her jacket and held her stitched arm out to Yaten.
"HOLY SHIT!" he yelled, turning his head away so fast, his neck cracked. She quickly pushed the sleeve back down. Yaten looked out the window and refused to meet her gaze. "All those things on your arm...don't they hurt?" he asked. Serena rolled her eyes.
"What do you think?" she asked.
"How long are those going to stay there?" he asked. "Those marks will go away right?" He normally had no problem with seeing injuries or blood, but he had never seen self injury wounds. Well, at least before seeing Serena in the bathroom. Something about seeing cuts like that and knowing she did that to herself sickened him.
"No," she said. "I'm stuck with these forever,"
"Are you serious?" he asked. "So you wanted to have permanent scars all over your arms that pretty much scream suicidal emoti-"
"YATEN!" Mina and Taiki yelled, causing him and Serena to jump.
"Sorry," he said. Serena shook her head.
"Don't be. And don't all defensive over me you guys. I've heard it all. I don't get offended,"
"Serena I have oils that may help the scars," Taiki said taking his glare off Yaten and looking at her through the review mirror. "I'll be more than happy to give them to you...maybe it will help,"
"Thank you...dude you have pretty eyes," she said, taking an admiration to his beautiful violet eyes. He smiled.
"Thank you," he said.
"Wheres Seiya?" Serena asked. Yaten rolled his eyes.
"Your boyfriend? Hes at home. Do you want to stop by your place first to pick up some clothes?" Serena nodded and Yaten began directing Taiki to their house. Serena layed her head on Minas shoulder. She found herself beginning to review the events in the last two days.
She was being weak. Serena cringed at the thought. All it took to bring back her carefully hidden memories was one visit from Diamond. She sighed, and began grinding her teeth in anxiety. Diamond would show up again. And she was bloody terrified. They pulled into the driveway and Mina, Yaten, and Serena got out of the van.
"Are you comming Taiki?" Serena asked. Taiki nodded, got out, and followed them to the door.
"Would your dad be here?" Taiki asked as Mina unlocked the door.
"I don't know. I don't care. If he is, don't talk to him," she said as she opened the door. "Serena go as fast as you can," Serena walked in and instantly ran up the stairs. Mina and Yaten carefully looked around for sight of Mr. Tuskino, then went to go sit on the couch after seeing no sign of him. Taiki stood at the base of the stairs. "Yaten, Taiki, would you guys want anything to drink?"
"Sure," Yaten replied. "What do you have?"
"No thanks," Taiki said. He stared up the stairs, and slowly began to walk up. When he reached the only open door, he peered in. Serena was rapidly throwing clothes into a small suitcase.
"Sit down if you want," she said, pointing towards her bed without looking up.
"How did you know I was here?" he asked, sitting down on her bed.
"A few months with Diamond can sharpen the senses. Imagine a few years," she said.
"Whos Diamond?" Serena was surprised by his lack of knowledge. She assumed Yaten and Seiya would have told him.
"He's my ex," was her reply, before she started throwing jewlery and make up into her bag. That was all Taiki needed to know.
"Use your experiances with him as your wings. Not your anchor," he said. She looked at him and cocked her head to the side.
"Huh?" she asked.
"Whatever happened between you two should be used to better yourself and help you fly. Don't let it be the anchor that keeps you in the bottom of the ocean. If you use it as your anchor, you will be crushed and destroyed. If you use it as your wings, you can simply fly away and move on to a better life. Whatever happened will make you stronger," she chuckled.
"Its not as easy as that Taiki, but thank you," she said.
"Take off the anchor. Get out of the ocean by swimming up. Theres so much to see and do. Don't let whatever happened destroy you. You have a lot of potential," she smiled at him. She smiled at his attempts to help her. He had no clue that she felt beyond help.
"Thank you," she said. Taiki stood up and looked at the few books that lay on her small bookcase.
"Mein Kampf?" he asked, pulling a thick black book off the shelf. He flipped it over and read the back. "How is it?" Serena folded up Lunas bed and shoved it in the suitcase.
"I haven't read it. It belonged to my friend Kelly. She loved it, although I could never understand why," She had been quite surprised at Kellys fascination with that book. Why Kelly had found a book written by a dictator who killed millions of innocent people fascinating was beyond her.
"Hitler was a fascinating man. He was extremely intelligent yet he did so many horrible things...I've always wondered what in the world went on in his mind,"
"Take the book," Serena said with a smile. Inside, her mind was screaming for her to keep the book. After Kellys funeral, her parents had invited Serena over to their house. There, they told her to pick some things from Kellys room to take and remember her by. One of the few items she had taken was Mein Kampf. She didn't want to part with something that belonged to Kelly, but figured that it should go to someone who would be as fascinated with it as Kelly was. Serena hadn't even opened the book. As a matter of fact, she had no idea why she decided to take the book in the first place.
"Are you sure?" Taiki asked. She nodded.
"Knock yourself out," Taiki smiled.
"Thank you," he said. Serena zipped up her suitcase.
"Lets go," They went downstairs to find Mina and Yaten sharing fruit on the couch. "I'm ready," Serena said, pointing to her suitcase. They stood up and they went back into the van.
"Seiya told me what happened with Rei," Mina whispered when they pulled out of the driveway. Serena stared at her knees.
"Don't talk about it," she said. Serena could now perfectly understand Reis anger. She didn't want to lose Rei as a friend. Then again, she was tired of being lonely. She was tired of having nobody but abusive people in her life. Rei and Seiya were next to Kelly on her list of people she loved. No, she didn't want to lose Rei. Serena sat up straighter. She caused so much damage in her life, but now she was determined to fix it.
She was not going to lose one of her best friends because of her stupidity.
They pulled up to the guys condo, and they got out.
"Serena we have a guest room...you can stay in there if you want," Taiki said.
"Thank you," She grabbed her suitcase and they went up to the door. As soon as the door was opened, Serena was assulted with the smell of something sweet.
"ODANGO!" Seiya yelled, throwing his arms around her in a hug. She wrapped her arms around him and gave him a kiss on his cheek.
"Hi Seiya," she said. Next to her on the couch was Ami, who had sat up and smiled at the sight of her. "Hey Ami," she said.
"Are you okay Serena?" she asked, standing up to give her a hug. She nodded as Ami gave her a big hug.
"I'm fine now...I'll be fine," she walked into the kitchen to see a tall girl with short brown hair pulled into a ponytail. She wore a dark green T shirt with white pants. She had on a yellow apron and was putting frosting on a cake.
"Hi there Serena," she said, holding out her hand. "I'm Lita," Serena had seen Lita several times hanging around Mina, but never really talked to her.
"I know I've seen you around," she said, shaking her hand.
"I hope you don't mind, but Mina and Seiya told me what happened so I decided to make you some get well sweets," Serena looked behind Lita to see not only a half frosted cake, but muffins, homemade chocolate lollipops, and even a large platter full of fruit, cut up to look like flowers. Her mouth dropped open.
"You didn't have to do that," Serena said, turning her gaze towards the ground. She didn't know what to think of Litas kindness. A second later, one of the heart shaped lollipops were shoved in her face.
"You could use some sweets," she said. Serena took the chocolate and began to suck on it.
It tasted like heaven. Better than the chocolates she and Kelly used to get back in Seattle. Serena devoured it and looked at Lita with a sparkle in her eyes.
"This is delicious!" Seiya came up behind her.
"Yeah imagine having to look at that and not be allowed to eat any untill you get here. Lita makes some delicious stuff,"
"Wheres Rei?" Serena asked him. Seiya bit his tounge.
"I couldn't get ahold of her," he said. Serena sighed. She would text Rei later to apologize. But now, she was just going to enjoy being with the people who went out of their way to show her they loved her.
"I'm going to put my stuff in the guest room," she said. She walked through the hall. Seiya was behind her.
"Sleep in my room," he said. "We can have a slumber party!" Serena giggled and threw her suitcase on the bed. They went out, and Serena sat with Ami and Seiya. Serena texted Haruka, who had been spending the day looking for an apartment, telling her to come by.
"Why are you telling him to come over here? He's out looking for an apartment," Seyia said. His attempts at hiding his jelousy towards Haruka were failing.
"Him?" Serena asked, as she burst out in hysterical laughter. "Seiya Harukas a girl!" she said. His mouth dropped open.
"You can't be serious!" he said. "That thing...it looks like a guy! How does she find guys if she looks like one?"
"Harukas a lesbian," she said, snickering. Ami looked at her curiously.
"I have a friend who's a lesbian," she said. Serena raised her eyebrows.
"Seriously?" she said. Ami nodded.
"Her name is Michiru...she always accompanys me to the pool at the college. Shes a sweetheart," a smirk grew over her face.
"We'll just have to introduce them then," she said.
After Haruka arrived, the group enjoyed Litas homemade sweets and watched movies, celebrating Serenas discharge from the hospital. During the fun, Serena for once forgot about her past. She forgot about Deonna, Diamond, and her dad. She forgot about all the bad events. Finally everyone left, leaving Serena, Seiya, and Haruka. Taiki, Yaten and Mina had already gone to bed.
"What time do you plan on leaving Haruka?" Seiya asked. So he didn't have to worry about Haruka taking Serena away. All that annoyed him was her overprotectivness of Serena. Especilly since he was more than capable of keeping her safe.
"I'm not going anywhere," Haruka growled. She could not understand how Serena became such close friends with this guy standing in front of her. He was an idiot. He knew absolutly nothing and yet he acted like he could face it all. Seiya had told her when Mina was visiting with Serena in the hospital that he could protect Serena from Diamond, and that she wouldn't have to worry. He was a fool. Haruka herself barely managed to keep Diamond from killing her. Seiya was underestimating him, and was too proud to even think that there was a chance that Diamond could hurt her while she was under his 'protection'.
"You don't have to spend the night here," Seiya argued. Haruka glared at him, and Serena gave her a hug.
"Haruka I'm going to stay here," she said. "Diamond has no clue where I am now an-"
"You don't know that," she said harshly. "Serena I am surprised that even you would forget his determination,"
"I saw no sign of him since I saw him at school. There were no cars following, and no sign of anyone from back in Seattle. Trust me, I know he hasn't given up but there has been no sign of him. If anything he is probably waiting for me to go back to school. Haruka, they're already taking in Mina and me. I want to stay with Mina and shes already asleep. We'll figure out what to do tomorrow. Come tomorrow first thing in the morning," she said. Haruka stared down at her. She didn't want to leave her.
"Fine," she said, giving her a hug and a kiss on her forehead. "I'll be here at six," Her gaze went to Seiya and her eyes narrowed. Before Seiya could blink, he saw Harukas first go flying into his stomach. Before her fist made contact into his stomach, he caught it, and held it in place. Haruka huffed, and pulled her fist out of his grasp.
"HARUKA!" Serena yelled.
"Not bad," she said. "Take care of her," she said. "If ANYTHING happens to her I swear on my life-"
"None of that Haruka," Serena said. Haruka sighed.
"I guess I'll see you tomorrow morning. Love you Kitten," she said, giving Serena a kiss on the head.
"I love you too Haruka," As soon as Haruka left, Taiki came out of his room.
"Serena! Come here!" he called. Serena frowned and walked towards his room, with Seiya behind her. "Seiya stay back," he said. Seiya frowned too, and stopped in his tracks. As soon as Serena was at his door, Taiki grabbed her arm and pulled her in.
"Taiki what is going o..." her voice trailed of when Taiki shoved a familiar black card in her hands.
It was her ultrasound picture. Her mouth dropped open in shock. In her third month of pregnancy, Kelly had went with her to the doctor to get her ultrasound. Serena took the picture and made Kelly keep it, for fear of her family or Diamond finding it. Kelly told her it was safely hidden. Serena had looked for it after Kelly died but couldn't find it anywhere.
She had hidden it in her book. And Serena had handed her deepest, darkest secret right over to Taiki. Wheather or not he would tell Seiya was lost on Serena.
"Oh Taiki please don't..." she began, not knowing what to say. Taiki sat on his bed.
"So you have a daughter out there somewhere?" he asked, sitting on the bed.
"No," she said, shaking her head. "This was taken eight months ago," Memories began to flood through her mind, and it took every ounce of strength to keep tears from falling. She began to shake her head in attempts to clear her mind. She looked up to see Taiki give her a look of pity.
"You did what you felt you had to do," he said. Serena shook her head at him.
"I didn't want to," She suddenly relized what Taiki was thinking of. She decided to just let it go.
"Does Seiya know?
"Nobody knows except for Diamond, Haruka, and my dad," she said. "You can't tell anybody," Taiki nodded.
"I won't. You better hide that," Serena put the ultrasound picture in her jacket pocket and opened the door...to find Seiya leaning against the wall across from Taikis room with his mouth open in shock. Serena felt her heart freeze and fall to her stomach.
"You have a kid?" he asked, in a horrified tone.
A/N: So....we all know next chapter will be a biggie! Sorry if this chapter sounds rushed.
If you want to find out what happens next, review review review! :]
-VoldemortsNipple