Dear Readers,
SailorLeia here with another crazy chapter of this loony tale! This would have been getting to you all so much quicker if my computer's hard drive hadn't decided to delete itself halfway through this chapter. After starting over from scratch a few times, this has been a real labor of love, but hopefully all of the strife was worth it. Thank you all so much for your patience THROUGHOUT this series and bless you all for reading this far! Before I carry on for too long, let's get down to business and start this chapter right!
Special thanks to all of wonderful people who favorited this story, or me as an author, that's a huge compliment and I really appreciate it! Also a Special thanks to all of you who are 'following' this story or me as a writer! Bless you all, I truly honored!
Special thanks to all of you who reviewed: Princess Selina (I KNOW! When are they ever going to catch a break, right? Sorry that this has taken so long to reach you, hope you're well, and still reading! Thank you so much for writing in, Much Love!), TsukiyoTenshi (Yes, Serena's parents have carried this whole 'protective-process' so far beyond too far! I hope you're still reading and I'm so sorry that this has taken so long to post! Hope you're well, thank you so much for reviewing and Much Love!), AimlesslyGera (LoL! Look out for Gera! Kenji wouldn't stand a chance! I can just see him crouched in a corner yelling, "Fine, we'll move back! Just don't hurt me! Serena can be Sailor Moon! Don't yell anymore!" LoL! I'm so sorry that this has taken so long to post. I hope that you're still reading and that you enjoy this latest update! Much Love!), SailorRallison (Yeah, life is pretty rough for Serena at the moment. All of the damage dealt to her special and magical items will be revealed in this chapter, I really hope that you're still reading, I'm sorry this took so long to post! I hope that this is reaching you with plenty of blue skies and thank you so much for your kind words! Much Love!), GinnyPotter0183 (I'm so glad that you enjoyed, and I loved your positive outlook on this. I'm sorry that it has taken so long to post the next one, but I hope that it is worth your patience! Thank you so much for writing in! Bless you and Much Love!), LoveInTheBattleField (Heehee! You think what Darien said THEN is cute! Just wait till you read what I have in store! I'm thrilled to see that you're still reading and reviewing! Sorry that this update took so long getting to you! I hope that it is worth the wait! Bless you and Much Love!), Queen of Light 17 (You are a reader after my own heart! I'm thrilled that you liked the last update! I'm also so glad that you pointed out Chad's reaction, [which was way too fun] and that you brought up 'what must Sammy be thinking about all of this!' God Bless you for that! I'm sorry this chapter is SO LATE, but hopefully it is worth the wait. Thank you so much for writing in and Much Love!), Perfect Beauty (Wow! Thank you so much for both of your fun reviews! I'm so glad that you were laughing out loud, though I am sorry we woke up your family! I hope that you're still reading! I'm so sorry that this has taken so long to post! But hopefully it's worth the wait and you're well! Bless you and Much Love!), IluvSmallvilleDBZSailorMoon (LoL! It's alright, I have done plenty of late night reviews or writing myself! Bless you for writing in, not just once, but twice! I'm so glad that you enjoyed the plot twist and it did surprise you! YAY! I hope you're still reading, enjoying and I'm sorry this has taken so long to reach you! On your sidenote, thank you for checking out my bio! Rogue and Remy are AMAZING! Especially that Cocky-Cajun-Catastrophe! He's so sexy too! I'm a total Avatar {Last Air Bender} freak, who loves everybody [from the stars like Aang and Zuko to the smaller characters like The cabbage vendor and "the Bolder"] and everything about that series [except that cliffie about Zuko's Mom! AHHH!] I adore Korra, and her series too, the more I watch it the more I LOVE it! I'm WAY too obsessed with that fandom! TWILIGHT is AMAZING! I fell for Edward the same way you did and Thank you for asking about my dad! He's doing a lot better now, but during the summer he was in hospitals for an ENTIRE MONTH! That's part of what took this so long! But he's great now and we keep him going! Bless you, hope that you're doing well! Much Love! ), tiffany aka basketcase (Thank you so much for writing in! Always a joy! I'm thrilled that I took you by surprise and you didn't see my twist coming! I'm also thrilled that you enjoy my sense for twists, though this story is ending very soon and I'm a little shocked that it is coming to an end! It's taken me years to write and gotten me through so much! So many mile stones and hardships! Thank you so much for asking about my Dad, during the summer he was sent back to the hospital, he was moved from place to place and his entire stay ended up being a MONTH! That's part of what made this chapter take so long! But he is well, looking forward to the holidays and getting better little by little everyday! God Bless you! Hope that you are well and this brightens your day as much as your reviews always brighten mine! Much Love!), sparrowflyaway (Wow, well I'm thrilled that you found this story again and that you're enjoying it so much. Though I am sorry I kept you up so late! I'm also SO sorry that this chapter is reaching you so late. Hopefully it's worth the wait and answers all of your questions [I would tell you which items were destroyed and which were indestructible… but I think that Serena can do such a better job, herself] Thank you so much for writing in! Bless you, for your kind words and Much Love!), Madame Petrova (Thank you so much, I'm so glad that you like what I have written so far! Hope you're still reading, enjoying and SO SORRY this took so long to get posted! Bless you and Much Love!), Starlight1812 (Wow, that's a real compliment! Thank you! I'm thrilled that you're enjoying the story so much! I hope that you're still reading, enjoying and I'm so SORRY that this took so long to post! I hope that this is reaching you with nothing but blue skies, Bless you and Much Love!), Jaylonni Love (Thank you so much! I hope you're still reading and liking this story! Sorry it took so long to post, but Bless you for your kind words! Much Love!), IceQueenBarbarien (Your reviews are always fun and a joy, this one didn't disappoint! It does seem like I'm never letting them caught a break, doesn't it… but you know that old saying, "All good things go to those who wait."… [evil-giggle] I hope you're still reading and enjoying, though I am SO SORRY that this took so long to get posted. You wouldn't believe the summer I had! Hope it's worth the wait, that you are well and Bless you for your fun and kind words! Much Love!), xx Twilight Princess xx (Well, Thank you, I'm thrilled that you liked it and found it to be imaginative! I know at times it got downright trippy, but I am ecstatic that you enjoyed and I'm only sorry that this took so long to get posted! I hope that this is reaching you with plenty of sunshine, or star shine, and that you're doing well! Bless you, thank you so much for writing in, Much Love!),1st Guest Review (Right now, I'm so sorry for the wait! I hope that you're still reading and enjoying! Thank you so much for writing in! Bless you and Much Love!), 2nd Guest Review (Right here, right now, sorry for making you wait so long! Hope that you are reading and still enjoying! Bless you and Much Love!), IchikoKitsuneKoumori (Oh yes! Kenji Tsukino has gone postal, Darien's postal without Serena. Serena's trying to maintain and get herself through all of this mess, it's a causal time. A time that all of my readers have been left in for far too long! I hope that you're still reading, that this was worth the wait and you're well! Bless your heart for writing in and Much Love!), Vanessa (Thank you so much for saying that I write 'awesomely' I don't care if it is a word or not, we just made one! LoL! Thank you so much for writing in, your review even if short and sweet reached me in a very dark place. When I was beginning to consider if writing was really what I wanted to keep doing with my life. I had just lost this story as well as this chapter nearly completed initial draft and all of my other stories and original works, All Poof! Gone! For the second time in a few months! None of my back up jump drives were working this time, I was crying and then I got your short and sweet little review that got my fingers flying across my keyboard again. Thank you so much for that! This story will get the ending it deserves and I really hope that you are still reading and enjoying! Thank You So Much! Bless you and Much Love!), 3rd Guest Review (Thank you, hope you're still reading and sorry this took so long! Bless you for writing in and Much Love!), 4th Guest Review (I love you too! Thank you so much for writing in! Hope you're still reading sorry this took SO long getting to you! Bless your heart and Much Love!), 5th Guest Review (I'm so thrilled that you are enjoying! Hope that you're still reading and loving it! Thank you so much for writing in and SO sorry that this has taken so long reaching you! Bless you and Much Love!), and 6th Guest Review (I'm still here, still kickin! It's just been a very difficult few months, but you guys have all kept me going, Bless You! Thank you so much for your care and inspiration! Much Love!).
Sorry if there's any confusion for the person (or persons) who reviewed under the discreet handle of 'Guest,' I love you all (or you could just be all one person! That's awesome too!), and wanted to thank each individually, just to be sure! Thank you so much for writing in! Much Love to you all!
Dedicated to Evanescence and whoever else is responsible for the song "Lost in Paradise." For it was a MAJOR Inspiration for this chapter!
"Fifteen Ways To Make Your Prince Remember You Exist"
Chapter 21 – Running Away With Permission
Serena's Diary
It has now been every bit of a month since the last time I saw my friends. I'm so sorry that I haven't been writing in you nearly as often lately, I don't mean to offend you my little pink confidant. That wasn't at all the intent! It's just… I started writing down experiences and things going on around me because I never wanted to forget them. If I could forget the last few weeks of my life, I would LOVE that.
Nothing has changed much, I'm still in hell and, no matter how much I fight it or no matter what happens to me, my father will not listen. I have been enrolled in THREE different schools since the last time that I wrote in your dainty little pages. I know that you've got to be saying, "Why so many?"
It's because, along with all of the things my father has done to torment me, one of his most ridiculous is the 'body guard' that drives me to and from school. A big beefy man that looks like he belongs in one of those 'Men in Black' movies, not a middle school. He doesn't even really 'protect' me either. He just makes certain that I don't make a mad dash back to my life while school is in session and my father can't watch over me.
When you're used to having a secret identity and blending in at school… Believe me, a beefed up man following you around like your some important politician's kid, is the last thing you want. No one knew that my dad was simply a reporter for the paper who has some pretty high-end connections. At my first school, everyone hated me and I was getting beat up on every day (see what I mean about him not actually helping?). It was a nightmare until the day that I'd had enough, and something in me snapped. I was kicked out after only being there a little over a week, in true Lita-style. I wonder if she would be proud?
My father was furious, even when my worthless-body-guard defended me. Claiming that I had been merely defending myself from some "bimbos and block-heads that wouldn't leave me alone." His words, and STILL my father blamed me. I begged him to enroll me in my old school but he wouldn't hear of it. I was enrolled in a new school the next day, a school that I was expelled from not three days later for brawling with cheerleaders. I know Lita will be proud of me for that one.
My third school wasn't as bad as the other two, because now I had the same reputation as Lita. Everyone steered clear in fear of me, until today. A group of snotty art-students who hated my style (and the fact that our teacher was so impressed with my abilities), thought it would teach me a lesson if they covered me in paint. So ALL day, I was known as 'RAINBOW' when I wasn't being saluted as a flag for gay pride. Every straight teenager's dream, even if I have absolutely no problems with the gay and transgendered communities! Inevitably, I got into another fight and I've now been kicked out of my THIRD school.
My mother had to come pick me up from school, and she was ready to yell at me, but when she saw me sitting there, in my array of colors, she started laughing. It was the first time I've heard her laugh since I woke up in this new life. She talked to my former principal and helped me cleanout my locker before giving my useless body guard the day off, and taking me home. When we got home, Dad was waiting for us and you will not believe what happened.
I'll be turning fifteen this June and I've known my father since the moment I was born in this life. In all of those years, I've never seen him as livid, as purple, or as mean, as he was to me today. As soon as I crossed the threshold of our new house, the man came charging at me like a bat outta hell. He outright attacked me and dared me to fight him if I was so KEEN on getting into fights now. It was HORRIBLE, I couldn't fight my own father. It wasn't how he raised me. As he swung and kicked at me, I dipped and dodged every attempt, until I finally saw my opening and I caught him in defensive hold that he couldn't get out of.
We screamed at each other and fought more than we've ever fought before. All while I had him stuck up against one of our walls, until Mom got a good hold on him and claimed that they 'needed to talk, right now.' I let go of him and stepped back to let Mom usher him away from me. Intending to go to my room, like my mother commanded. Before I could escape and before my father could be stopped, he punched me in my face and growled, "You're not my child!"
So, with an ice pack to my cheek, SO scared and HURT, I locked myself in my room and I haven't left since. Sammy came in and kept me company for a little while, and whenever mom and dad's fighting got too loud, we'd play loud videogames to drown out their battles. Something neither of us could remember doing before this move.
I'll have to say, Sammy has been a wonderful and surprising ally in all of this. We've always looked out for one another, but I've gotta say, we've gotten much more dedicated to this duty as of late. He's been a terrific friend and he's even thrilled to know that his sister is Sailor Moon. That was something I had been a little wary of telling him. Tonight when he was leaving he asked me…
"Hey Sere, why didn't you tell me you were Sailor Moon sooner? Did you think you couldn't trust me?"
I said honestly, "No, that wasn't it. I know that you'd keep my secret and be a great confidant, but… Sailor Moon was your favorite super hero and it was nice having someone so close, believe in me so absolutely. I was afraid if you knew that was just your dumb and klutzy big sister that she wouldn't be your favorite anymore."
"Are you kidding?!" he asked me. "I think it's stellar, you being Sailor Moon! How many guys have their favorite hero living down the hall from them?
"I'm still your favorite?"
"You're such an air-head, Dad isn't going to stay mad forever. And even if he does, he can't change who you are. 'She' is who you are and it's your job to protect the world. I know things freakin' suck right now, but things will get better, evil will return and the world's going to need you again. While I don't have powers or any of that cool stuff that you or your friends have, I want you to know I'm here for you whenever you need me, kay?" he said. I hugged him and he surprised me by hugging back! Usually he pushes me away rolls his eyes saying, "Girls are so gross."
Who would have thought that he would ever be so cool about all of this? I certainly didn't.
When all of the screaming from my parents had stopped and Sammy was soundly sleeping in his room, I still couldn't sleep. I pulled out this diary and just started reading over all of the old experiences that I'd jotted down on your pages. It wasn't until this moment, when I felt the absolute lowest I think I've ever felt and wasn't dying… that a couple of little red pages folded into perfect squares fell out of my book. At first, I thought that they were red rose petals, that's how deeply red these pages were. As I picked them up, I realized they were paper and noticed that they were numbered; so I began unfolded them, I quickly comprehended that they were a letter from my prince! Three pages long, front and back! All of which carried his scent, and handwriting! Before I could even start reading, I started tearing up. I had to collect myself and not cry; these pages are totally getting left in this book too. I'm placing these little squares in the protective pocket glued to the back of this diary. I didn't want to take a chance of losing them, especially now that I've read them like a million times!
Thank you, little pink and sparkly diary, it was like you were keeping his words safe for me until the moment I needed them most! Bless you! And Goodnight! God willing tomorrow will be a better day… at this point it can't get much worse, but I'm going to try and stay optimistic about this.
Wish Me Luck,
- Serena
(Hey there loyal reader! Wondering What could have been on that list?
Since you guys have been so great and SOOOOO patient for all of these months, I'm treating you to an early Christmas present and posting two, yes TWO Chapters! The next chapter will be Darien's List that was hidden in her diary! I hope you all enjoy it! Much Love!)
Serena's Diary(the Next Day)
This morning I woke up, and got the surprise of my life! My mother was supposed to be taking me to a new school and enrolling me this morning. A routine thing I've sadly gotten used to lately. But instead of waking me up in her usually unorthodox manner of screaming at me and prying me from my bed while I cling to my sheets like life-preservers, she crawled in with me and kissed my forehead. She apologized for EVERYTHING. From me being kidnapped, to trying to make me quit who I am, to the handprint still hurting on my cheek, even if it wasn't from her hand. ALL of it. Then, when she was finished apologizing, she told me to grab a few things and pack them up. We were going home!
HOME! I was beginning to think I could never go home again! I was ecstatic! I packed up my essentials. Before I was finished, my newly awakened brother came rushing in and we danced through the halls. We were FINALLY going home!
Mom explained that Dad had gone too far; too extreme for her liking and she couldn't stand by just watching it happen another moment. He was now resorting to violence and she would NOT stand for that happening under our roof. She told my brother and I that she always wanted our home to be our sanctuary, our safe haven away from the rest of the world.
"Whether you're worst fears are bullies, or upcoming tests in school, or monsters… or more plants like the ones Serena's been fighting lately. I want you to feel as save as I've always felt when I return to my home, where your grandparents live," she told us.
She even adding for my benefit, "I gather from the stories I've read about Sailor Moon… and what I've seen with my own eyes, that you face a lot of darkness, dear. Immeasurable amounts of Evil, freakish things to keep our world safe. I want you to always feel protected when you come home from that. No matter what you've faced that day, I want you to feel sheltered and secure, without worry of anyone else hurting you. The last person in the world who should harm a hair on your head is a parent... Your father knows that, he just needs to be reminded. So, we're going to disappear for a little while and remind him of just how good he has it."
Sammy and I were a little worried by this news. It sounded like our parents were splitting up and who wouldn't be a little anxious at that? My mom, however, was a beacon of pure strength and ease as she explained to us that this had happened before. Just before Sammy had been born, when I was still very little; Mom said that he had thrown an even bigger 'fit' back in those days. While I didn't believe it could have possibly been worse than last night, Mom admitted it had all seemed so much worse to her 'then,' because she was an over-emotional pregnant lady. I didn't remember any of the events the way she described them, I didn't even remember my Dad ever being concerned about providing for another child. Mom said that he had done just that, while all I remembered was living with my grandparents for a few weeks, It had been like a vacation to me. It turns out my parents had been in couples therapy then and were heading there again!
Mom was confident that Dad would be alright, they would survive this all somehow. That they had conquered this before and they would do it again. She told us "not to worry" that "This is your father's obstacle to climb, not ours. Not anymore!" Then she said, "Cheer up already, we're going HOME."
HOME! I couldn't believe it!
I knew that Dad would be hell bent against this, and that the next few days would be critical. There would be a lot of fighting, a lot of debating between my parents. Though I took Mom's advice and tried to not let it bring me down when it really wasn't me who had the problem. It was Dad who had the issues, even after all he had done I wished him the best. I hoped that he could get better so we can be a family again real soon. I was too grateful at this point to be (in a twisted sort of way,) 'running away with permission.' I rushed to the car and helped Mom pile it up with a bunch of our things, before we pulled out of hell's driveways and took the quickest route back our REAL lives. My love and respect for my mother FULLY-RESTORED in an instant, and I was left to wonder how I could ever have doubted her.
As she drove us back to our familiar stomping grounds, I was delighted to watch all of my usual hangout fly past the windows. From Sammy and my schools (which we've been newly re-enrolled in), to that unforgettable park I'd stroll through EVERYDAY, Raye's Temple, our family's gym, my favorite comic store! All of them, right in front of me again and I wasn't dreaming! My arms are adorned in bruises all the way up each one from (all the fighting, yes, but also from) all of the times I've pinched myself today.
As lovely as it was to watch all of these dear places wiz by the windows, NOTHING could have prepared me for the sight of the Crown's Arcade and Café. I knew I'd tear up on sight, I had no idea that there would be a massive message to me spelled out in artwork adorning the entire front of the place. One side read, "COME HOME SERENA," the other read, "WE HEART YOU!" With a huge heart that could have ONLY been the work of Peggy Jones. I screamed for Mom to stop the car and she pulled into the nearest parking spot and I ran back to the arcade from there. Mom and Sammy followed and I walked up and down the well-loved sidewalk, just looking at it all. Some of the artwork was from kids I've babysat, other's by friends from school. Some of it was just girls hoping to impress Andrew, but a great deal of it was from my teammates and Darien. I recognized their handwriting, their styles, and my tears just poured down my cheeks. I couldn't really call it crying, because I didn't choke or sob really. There was no pain in these tears. Just salty water droplet after droplet leaking down my face in pure joy and elation that I had been missed. That my friends WOULDN'T be mad, and we COULD all get through this and on with our hopefully peaceful lives… Hey, I can dream!
My mom reminded me that I would be seeing everyone soon, but we still had a little business to handle before we could split up for day. She needed to show me where Dad had buried what was left of all of my 'Sailor Moon' Items. I agreed and we were walking back to the car when a familiar voice from behind me called out to me. It was so soft that it sounded like it was a part of the breeze, "Serena?" It was so gentle and quiet, I almost thought that I had imagined the inquiry, but I hadn't. I turned around and there stood Andrew, Arcade Apron on, broom in hand, staring at me in tearful disbelief.
That's all I remember before I was caught up in a tight hug, and being swung around. I had to give him credit, while my feet still dangled from his height, "I didn't think ANYONE would recognize me with this haircut!"
"Are you kidding!" He laughed. "You can try to hide, but I'd still know you anywhere. Where in the WORLD have you been?! We've been crazy looking EVERYWHERE!"
"Believe me, I've been INSANE missing all of you." I cried into his shoulder.
As soon as he put me down, another pair of arms was hugging me, I turned to see Lizzie, who was also in tears. Crediting me and thanking me for saving her life as well as her brother's, Rita's, Darien's, almost all of her co-workers and her friends. Before I could even register what was really happening, I had been dragged into the arcade and was sitting in my old spot. It should have felt like coming home more than seeing my house. But something was missing, something was off about the whole thing and I know what it was. Other than the fact that my mother and brother were normally NEVER with me when I frequent this place, was that the booth across from mine seemed FORIEGNLY quiet and depressingly empty.
Yes, once again, we're back to my elusive prince and my pursuit (if not harassment) for his attention. This was pretty much where it had all began and there was too much of him everywhere. I started to ache all over inside with wanting to see him so desperately that I almost missed Andrew's words.
My blonde friend asked, "So I guess asking you if you're attending the Scout meeting at the temple today is a pretty dumb question, huh?"
"You know about all of that too?" I asked in surprise.
"Of course I do Miss Moon, though I must say I'm still surprised that I didn't know sooner. How and why in the world did you manage to keep such a huge secret from everyone?"
"Right?" Sammy added to Andrew's question. "I wondered the same thing. I didn't know my own sister could be so modest. She told me it was something about wanting people to believe in her and she was afraid that none of us would believe in Sailor Moon if we all knew that it was her."
"Seriously?" Andrew asked, while I shrugged innocently.
"Well it is a bit farfetched, even to my ears. If I can hardly believe it myself who's going to believe in me?"
"I've always believed in you Sere. I always knew that you were something special, and not just to me, to everyone. It makes too much sense that you're the one meant to protect the world. No one else would care more, or try harder to protect the people you love, or the people you've never met."
I had to blink back tears on this sincere admission, it meant more to me than I could ever describe in words. I would have liked to sit there all day talking to the friendly faces of the crown, but none of us could spare so much time. I had to get home and survey the damage my father had dealt to my things, and Andrew too, was trying to make it to the Sailor Scout meeting this afternoon. He didn't want to miss the festivities that he was certain my return would bring… even on short notice. He asked me was it 'okay' to warn the others of my arrival.
"I think you'd better," I told him honestly. "If I just appear with this haircut and they're not warned, I'm afraid no one will recognize me."
"I did!" Andrew boasted and I thanked him again, and hugged him one more time before I left with my mother and brother.
It was so hard to believe that the boarded up monstrosity sitting near the front of our street used to be my house. Usually such a happy and cheerful looking place, full of light and comfort. Now it looked like a place that hadn't been lived in for YEARS, rather than the (more or less) month that we had been living in the new hellhole. It was VERY hard to simply walk past the creepy and almost evil looking dwelling and step into the overgrown backyard. But I had a SUPER important meeting to attend, and I knew if any SERIOUS damage had happened to my things, my only chance at having these things fixed was my friends. They could know how to repair them. That is, if they could patch-up such sacred things. I could hardly wait to get to that meeting.
We dug and dug in the spot Mom claimed to be our 'X,' and I was beginning to wonder if she'd picked the wrong location. After digging and digging, we finally found the little tin box that contained my treasures. My transformation broach had been completely obliterated but, as I'd hoped and prayed, my silver crystal was indestructible (though it was covered in a thick ashy-gunky-crap that was HARD to get off! It was like he's tried to burn it in our fire place, which he probably did). So was my scepter, which was blackened and scratched up, but that was all the harm he could inflict on it. My communicator and cell phone were another story, both were totally demolished. My mother recalled several of my father's tools had been smashed beyond recognition when he walked back through the house.
With all of my items safely tucked in my pocket, my bag next to me and this diary out on my small table, I'm currently sitting in a teeny little café that's a couple of blocks from Raye's place. Everyone's still in school at the moment and should be getting out soon. In the meantime, I'm writing in you, my little diary, to keep myself from freaking out too much. It's not working entirely well, though it's better than sitting here and psyching myself out, and letting myself think of all the things I've missed.
It's nearly time for them to all start showing up, so I guess I should go ahead and bring this to a close. Thank you for keeping me sane and for keeping me company, trusty little diary.
Keep your fingers crossed for me!
-SeReNa (Yes, I meant to sign crazy like that, because I'm more than a little crazy right now!)
Andrew's E-mail, Text and Notice Sent to EVERYONE!
ATTENTION ALL-OF-YOU! OUR-PRINCESS-HAS-FINALLY-BEEN-SIGHTED-AND-HAS-RETURNED-HOME! That's right, you didn't read that wrong, our Princess Serenity has returned home and is perfectly fine considering it's been so long. She was bruised up every which way, like she's been in a scrap or two (We'll have to ask her to clarify that a little, I didn't have time to probe much out of her). I also feel like I should warn you all that she's sporting a new super short haircut. Rest assured, I still found her easy to spot, and recognizable. She's going to be appearing at the Temple today for the Sailor/Knight powwow, at the normal time we always meet. Hope to see you all there.
Your friend,
~Andrew
Responses to This News:
Amy (and Greg): "We're thrilled and happy as can be that she's finally home. Can't wait to see you there too."
Ken: "YAY! Our princess has returned, hopefully everything can be normal now, at least for a little while, right? Is that really so much to ask? Hasn't she (Serena) earned that much?
Lita: "It's about time! When IS that darn bell gonna ring!? AHHHH! Can't wait to see her!"
Raye: "Well, it's about time! I'll see if I can coax grandpa and Chad into helping me make her favorite treats. That's bound to help her feel at home. Don't you think? Thanks for the heads up, Andy. See you as soon as you're off."
Chad: "DUDE! Serena's FINALLY back?! It sucks that I'm now in charge of cooking a bunch of her favorite things, but Lita promises to help too. So it shouldn't be too bad. Thanks for your alert, man. Keep 'em coming, and we'll see ya soon, bro. Moon-Mama's BACK and everyone better be prepared for her ATTACK!"
Alan: "FINALLY! I can't wait to see her, though I must admit I am a bit nervous, even though we've never NOT been on good terms. I'm relieved she's safe, and home. Can't wait to see her and thanks for your rather long and elaborate text. I hope I can recognize her."
Ann: "A part of me is thrilled, relieved and enthusiastic to see her again. Another part of me… PETRIFIED! Of all of the people I've hurt, mentally, physically, emotionally… She was dealt all of the worst of my wrath, and I can't believe she was the very one to save me. To see that I could BE saved? How can I look her in the eye, and apologize and it be enough?"
Andrew to Ann: "Just tell her the truth, from your heart, and you'll be fine. Look, I would tell you that your worries were appropriate and you should tread lightly. This isn't a normal case and Serena isn't a 'normal' person. She'll probably be happy to see you and glad to hear of this new life you've started with Alan and the tree. Have some faith and you'll be fine."
Johnny (using Mina's phone): "I'm speaking for my partner as well as myself, because my better half is currently sobbing so hard that I thought something was wrong. It's just our 'replacement leader's way of showing relief and utterly speechless joy. Luckily for us both, I haven't lost my way with words and thank you greatly for this WONDERFUL News. Well see you later, cheers.
Another Message from Raye: "Andy, please tell me that you have been able to reach Darien? I have been trying and so have all of the others and none of us can seem to reach him. Is he in shock or something?"
Andrew to Raye: "No he hasn't replied to any of my calls or text. I didn't get a word out of him in in school today before that, which tells me that his patience has finally worn out. He's been good for so many weeks, he can't bare it anymore and feels the need to hole up in his house for a little bit and mope. He's been so much better about all of this since he became Tux, but in the end he's still the same old Darien."
Raye's Retort: "Are you telling me that he's going to miss out on all of this because he's hell bent on MOPING? He'll miss EVERYTHING!"
Andrew Continues: "Don't worry Raye, I'm on my way to his apartment now. I'm not going to let him miss this."
Raye to Andrew: "Well good luck, she'll be here any minute."
Darien's Dream Diary
After weeks and weeks of pushing myself out of bed each day, after countless hours of hoping and praying that she's alright. All of the strife and exertion caught up with me, and I wasn't able to handle it. I couldn't miss school, I had a couple of tests today that I KNEW I wouldn't feel like making up. So I did get out of bed and answer to all obligations before telling the rest of my teachers that I was working on a project in the library. My flawless student record and perfect grades enabled them to trust me and I escaped through a third story boys lavatory window. From there, I used my stealth 'Tux' abilities to ghost my way home. Upon entering my apartment, my cell phone was off and home phone unplugged. I crawled into bed and let the misery have me for a little while.
I fell asleep for a little while, though it was far from a restful nap. I kept dreaming in nightmares of what could be keeping her from us. Or, almost worse than that, I had vivid dreams of her return. Only to wake up and be back in this horrible place where she's still gone and I have no contact with her at all. Would this sick deprivation ever END?
When I did decide that it was just too dangerous to lay there anymore… I walked out on my balcony and sat on the bench there just watching the clouds float by, and the sun slowly lower itself to the horizon. I must have sat there for hours, before I heard my neighbor's balcony door slide open and close loudly. In the corner of my eye, to my complete and total surprise, Andrew appeared and climbed from their balcony to mine. I shouted at him, "HAVE-YOU-COMPLETELY-LOST-YOUR-MIND?"
"I should ask you the question!" he shot back at me, never looking down. When he was safely standing on my balcony, he did chance a glance down at the nearly ten story drop he just braved. He comically sighed with a hand over his heart.
"Are you okay?" I asked in a condescending tone.
"Shut up!" he barked back before asking me, "Did you receive any of my text messages or ANYONE else's?"
"No, my phone's off and my landline is unplugged because I wanted a little alone time. You know? A chance to think!"
"More like time to mope!" Andrew retorted. Before I could take out more of my frustrations on my intruding friend, he beat me to it saying, "If you weren't in such a stubborn mood to be miserable, you would have received the countless messages from all of us telling you that Serena's FINALLY come home!"
Everything inside me stopped; my breath, my heart, and my head. Then I could feel my heart expand and lift up to wedge itself into my throat. I sputtered and choked on the sentence I was trying to say, before rushing for my switched off cell phone. And saw that I had missed TONS of texts and calls from EVERYONE! ALL backing Andrew's story! I leaped off of the balcony and straight down to the garage where my motorcycle was. Andrew yelled something to me that sounded like, "Your Welcome," though he could have been shouting "You're Crazy," for all I know! I threw my riding jacket and helmet on in record time before kicking the beast to life and taking off!
I know I had to be at the bottom of those temple stairs in a new personal best time, then I just couldn't seem to get my legs to work. I don't know how long I was standing there looking up at these steps before Andrew found me.
"You went from jumping off of your balcony, to driving like a maniac, to standing here?" he asked. "I thought for sure that by the time I arrived here, that you would have already magician your way up those stairs and stolen Serena from the party for a little romance. What are you waiting for?"
"You saw her?" I asked, showing I had read the texts he'd sent me now.
"Yeah," he answered, still not sure what was with me.
"You say in these texts that she's been in a fight, she's covered in bruises and has a new haircut?"
"Even through all of that I was able to recognize her easily, though I want to hear why she appears this way, and we're missing it all down here! Let's get moving!" he said, pulling me towards the steps and we both started to climb until we reached the top. A few feet away from us sat Serena, she had her back to us and all of her LONG gold hair was chopped too short for even one pigtail. I was so relieved at the sight of her, the sound of her voice the relief brought me to my knees for moment and I couldn't move or speak for a few minutes, though my hearing was in full gear. So, as she went into her explanations of her bruises, her new hairdo, and everything else in between, I didn't miss a moment. Serena's back was to me, but all the rest of our teammates and friends could see me and were wondering why I wasn't letting my presence be known. I was still frozen, several of them almost told her. Luckily Andrew was standing beside me and had sense enough to signal to everyone that I needed a minute…
Tears pricked and stung my eyes annoyingly and I felt my best friend pat me on the back. I struggled to pull it together, she was so much more beautiful than my memory had been capable of recreating in my memories or dreams. All of the aching and pain that I had been swearing was 'her's all of these weeks, must have been so. There was something a little different in her manner and in the way she was SO quiet compared to before. Her voice even seemed to carry at a noticeably softer pitch, and I HAD to know what had been causing all of these changes. What could have hurt her so much?
Serena's Diary (the Meeting)
In all of the times that I have stood before that colossal staircase, I can safely say I've never felt more nervous and excited all at once than I did today. The pristine white gleamed back at me like an old friend, and I climbed at a leisurely rate. When I reached the top of the staircase, I was instantly bombarded with cheers, hugs, kisses and lots of tears. All of my teammates were bawling with me and we all ended up sitting in a big heap not far from the top of the stairs. Everyone was here, all scouts all knights, Molly & Melvin (I did miss Darien and Andrew)…even Ann and Alan were present and had great news for me.
They're going to stay here in Tokyo, they're going to help out at the temple and live a normal teenage life. They did change schools and are now attending the same school as Raye, though we'll all be together when we reach high school next fall, so the move seems a bit unnecessary to me. But what do I know? I was just passed around between several schools for fighting, myself; who am I to judge? I asked them where was the 'Tree of Life?' Where was its part in all of this, because they still needed her to live? They promised to show me once everything had settled down a little and everyone had heard my story.
That was when all of the questions began. 'Where have you been?' 'What took you so long?' 'Are you alright?' 'Have you been sick, you look like you lost weight?' All of this and so much more was coming at me all at once until I finally had to just sit everyone down and start from the beginning. Explaining my hair and my bruises, saving the new array of colors staining my cheek for last (that was still in the shape of my father's hand print and still ached). No one could believe that my father had gotten that crazy; but no one questioned the truth of my tales. They could all see how messed up I was now, I'm certain. I think that Ann and Alan blamed themselves for it too, no matter how many times I asked them not to.
Ann actually sat before me in tears, telling me how sorry she was. Apologizing for EVERYTHING she'd EVER done or said to me and asked if we could be friends. I was shocked, but I was honest when I told her that, "nothing would make me happier."
That was when the Scouts couldn't bare it any longer and Mina had to say, "I think we all know of at least ONE thing… or person that could make you happier."
"Yeah!" Lita interjected. "Have you had a chance to catch up with 'your prince?'"
"No, I have yet to see him," I said. "Have any of you seen him, has he been coming here to Scout meetings? Andrew said that they've both been coming here in the afternoons."
"Yeah, he's a great guy and he's really taken his rightful place with the team," Greg felt like he needed to say.
"Has he been alright?" I asked, and Johnny answered me.
"He's healthy and back where he belongs alongside this team. Though he's been even more nuts than all of us combined waiting for you come back. He's missed you and the entire team has felt incomplete without you, love!"
"Well, believe me," I assured, "I've felt just as inadequate and bemused without all of you."
"We all love you, but don't try to change the subject!" Lita caught me and I laughed as she shook her finger at me. "We're talking about Darien here! Don't try to weasel you're way out of this! Deets Woman! We need DEETS!"
Everyone laughed and Chad asked, "Do you have, like, any idea what you're going to say to him? When you do see him?"
Who can turn that down? I had to answer him truthfully, "I have no clue."
Everyone laughed and I relaxed a little, so I found myself asking them… "But what can I say? Where can I even begin, when all the words that are in my head seem so puny and insufficient compared to everything he makes me feel? How can I put in words that he is the ONLY reason I survived any of this, and that 'I love you' just isn't enough? How can I explain the unexplainable? Like, every night, when I'd cry myself to sleep, I could feel some invisible connection between the two of us that was so strong I could sometimes hear him talking to me? Or holding me? And that when those moments did happen they were the only times I did sleep?"
Luna interrupted me from her place on my lap. "Since the both of you are finally on the same side and aware of your full histories. It seems you've revived you're old bond."
"'Bond,' Luna?" Amy asked and my guardian iterated a little more on the subject.
"Serenity and Endymion used to have that same ability, to reach out spiritually to one another's spirit over vast distances. The trait must have transcended to this lifetime, the prince himself has expressed similar scenarios."
I sighed with relief and said, "Well thank heavens it's not just me, being crazy… like usual."
The group laughed and Raye asked, "Let me get this straight? You're telling me that in those times that you were feeling lower than low, you could hear and feel Darien comforting you?"
"Yes, like he was in the room whispering to me. I know how crazy it sounds, but I wouldn't have gotten through any of the crap I just lived through if it weren't for him. During the big battle with Ann and Alan, there was a moment where I did die, I know I did. He brought me back, he healed me, he revived me and even though we've been out of touch all of these weeks, it was his unfailing support and care that got me back here. I could have never done any of it without him… So how can I say all of that, manage to make him comprehend what I'm saying, without sounding like a total mental case?"
Out of NOWHERE, a deep and all too familiar voice cut through the air, directly behind me, from the top of the staircase. A voice that could only belong to ONE person, capable of shooting both electricity and chills down my spine at the simple words, "I don't know, that sounded pretty good."
All of my friend's smiled at me impishly, barely able to maintain their excitement. Before I turned and was completely rendered useless by those midnight eyes I'd been dreaming of, I asked with my back still to him, "Just how long have you been standing there?"
His reply was a husky, "Long enough."
I had trouble breathing for a split second, because my heart was trying to beat its way out of my chest. I managed to somehow turn around and stand up from my sitting position. Though the moment our eyes met, speech was impossible. He seemed to have the same trouble, because I saw his mouth open and close a few times. Before he power walked at me and his lips met mine in an earthshattering intensity that almost made us both forget where we were.
Our friends applauded, whistled and made inappropriate noises till we were both bright red and then they gave us a moment to ourselves, telling Darien to meet them by 'the tree.' He didn't even wait for me to walk with him, he just picked me up and carried me off. When he let me go, I sort of slid down the front of him into a hug. I squeezed him as tight as I could and he returned the affection, crushing me to his chest.
My face was pressed into his neck as I said, "I missed you so much."
I felt him take a deep breath before he finally replied. "I was beginning to wonder if I'd EVER see you again."
"You weren't the only one, how much of that did you hear?" I asked him, looking up at his face, still being held close, even if not as tight.
"I heard everything, I was just so relieved to see you, it took me a while to speak."
I laughed. "When I first heard you, I had a hard time breathing!"
He quirked his eyebrows and shrugged. "Well at least the feeling's mutual."
"Are you mad that I was away for so long?" I asked him.
"I'm furious that you were kept from me for far too lengthy a time, but not a drop of that fury is directed or intended for you. I'm too thrilled that you're finally home, elated you're here to stay and that your mother suggested you runaway. Where are you staying, while everything else is being worked out?"
"I still haven't figured that out, I'll probably stay with one of the girls. I hate to do that, but it's so much better than spending one more day in that hell hole we were being held captive in. It was a penitentiary."
"Well you know… you could come stay with me, and we could catch up even more without an adoring audience," he suggested.
"That would be nice," I agreed putting my arms around his neck.
He went on to tempt me further, saying, "Especially since the both of us have been spending so much time an energy exploring this old 'connection' we've reestablished between us. It would be particularly nice to have the real you with me for once."
"So that wasn't just me either?" I asked and he shook his head before leaning his face against mine, pressing his forehead to mine. I wondered, when was I going to wake up and be locked back up in that new bedroom? Or would I end up back in the 'Doom Tree,' dreaming up happy things to pass the time as I was drained? Would there ever be a time that I grew used to the bursting happiness and bliss that came with any of this man's affection? Could this comfortable rhythm settling over us ever lose this wondrous glowing sphere of complete and unadulterated ecstasy? Just from his touch, his kiss, his attention, and how had I LIVED so long without it?
Taking a breath, I realized that he was probably still waiting for my answer to his invitation. I fully intended on accepting, but he needed to know that. "Well I have spent the last several weeks dreaming of being wrapped in these arms, the real thing doesn't compare. Though we keep this up and I may get spoiled, not want to go home when everything IS finally settled between my parents."
"Is there a downside to that?" he asked, a breath away from kissing me again.
"You'd be stuck with me," I pointed out.
"Still waiting for the problem-" Then he kissed me before I could say anything else and I have no idea how long we remained entangled in this exchange… I lost all track of time, thought and reason…
Continuing Darien's Dream Diary
(Picking up right where Serena's left off)
As much as I would have loved to remain enmeshed with my princess for the entire remainder of the evening… I pried myself off of her, settled for holding her hand, and lead her over the new permanent resting place of the 'Tree of Life.' You have no idea how hard it was to let her go, to share her with everyone, when I wanted so much to be selfish. I just kept telling myself, 'we have all night,' and assured myself that I could hold out a little longer. Upon arrival, Serena didn't have a chance to ask anyone a thing, because the Tree immediately began to speak for herself again. Thanking Serena for all that she did, all that she sacrificed, all that she will go on to do, and the Tree expressed her wishes to help us in the future.
She boasted that she was now used to the way this planet's domestic plant life communicated and their pollination systems. Since she has figured all of that out, we have an unmatched and tremendously useful way of having 'eyes' and 'ears' carpeting the city. All of us backed up the 'Tree of Life's story telling Serena that ever since she overcame that hurtle, the tree has been receiving all KINDS of stories from local sources about all of us. If we ever have to fight against another enemy, think of how beneficial all of this information could be.
Serena was modest, blushing through most of the compliments, before the tree lit up in celebration and started shooting off fireworks. Instead of sparks raining down from these pyrotechnics though, there were teeny-tiny hearts of all colors. Somewhere in all of the those hearts Serena's transformation items and weapons, were given a face lift or revitalized completely from nothingness. The tree suggested that she try to transform like normal, to see if she'd repaired her items correctly.
Serena nodded and held her newly restores compact over her head calling out "Moon Crystal POWER." To our delight she transformed like normal, one heart beat later, she stood before using in total Sailor uniform. Meatballs back adorning her head and she looked so relieved, her smile came much easier with that worry behind her. I'm sure that must have been something she'd been very worried about all of this time. Her short golden hair had been adorable, surprisingly suited her face shape and downright sexy sometimes. Though, she didn't choose it, she hadn't wanted it, and it was wonderful to see her trademark style back in place. She looked more like herself, more confident all ready.
Since there was no immediate danger and no real reason for Sailor Moon's presence, Serena detransformed and seemed relieved that her long pigtails had REMAINED. She was completely back to looking like her normal self, though Mina tried to point out, that it would be even more so when those black blue and yellow patches of skin were completely healed. I wish she had left that comment unsaid, because I noticed Serena pulling self-consciously down on her sleeves. She had no reason to feel uncomfortable; she was more beautiful than my imagination could have ever done her justice. To have her here in the flesh was still too much of a blessing.
After that major revelation, the meeting seemed to drag on, to me. But for Serena, I sat there and let the conversation go on and on. It took every ounce of my restraint to not just throw her over my shoulder, fly down to my bike and get the hell out of there. I mused to myself, how different things are now, from when it all started. When I used to go out of my way just to catch a glimpse of her. Just to insult her so she would talk to me, annoy her so that those eyes would flash. Then how quickly the game changed, from just wanting to talk to her, to talking so that I didn't kiss her. Now she was sitting in my lap, and I was having a very hard time not stealing her away, all for myself. It was a long and twisted process but with her here now, FINALLY safe and sound, saying that she loved me and wanted to be with me too… Saying 'it was worth it' was an understatement.
When it was FINALLY time to call it a day, and everyone was saying 'bye' to one another, reminding each other of tomorrow's meeting times, several of the girls asked Serena where she was planning on staying tonight. Each time that she told them 'with me,' the girls shot me a look that said, "be nice to her," or "don't be dumb." All of the guys were shaking my hands, patting my back, winking, whistling and shouting, "You da MAN!"
When we were finally leaving, I scooped Serena up and took off for the stairs. Using my 'Tux' capabilities, I skipped the stairs altogether in one single bound. Landing lightly on my feet, and placing Serena on her feet directly in front of me, to her delight.
Her arms, which had been resting around my neck, remained a little longer as she comically asked, "Where have YOU been all of my life?"
I shrugged. "I've been fighting that temptation down since the moment I saw you."
She smiled. "Well thank you, I needed to know that everyone is okay. Plus, now… we have all night."
It sounds so much better when she says it!
I walked over to my bike and started pulling out my helmet as well as my spare. When I noticed that Serena was starting to look a little nervous, I asked her what was wrong, and she assured me nothing. But I knew better.
"Come on Serena, what's the matter?" I asked.
"It's nothing really and you'll think I'm dumb," she said, and we were beginning to sound more like our old selves. A notion that I did not want to carry too far at all! So I said something I would have never ever said, back in the day.
"You're NOT dumb! Now what's bothering you?"
"I haven't… exactly… ever… ridden on a…" she began, and got frustrated with herself endearingly.
"You've really never ridden on one before?" I asked, and she shook her head.
"My Dad has one from when he was teen that he keeps under a sheet in the garage, but it doesn't run anymore." Serena shrugged. "It always seemed pretty scary to me."
"Would you rather walk?" I asked.
"No," she was quick to answer.
"It'd be no trouble, the guys would gladly-"
"No, I'm not saying I don't want to, I'm just taking a moment… See, now I'm totally game," she said convincingly as I helped her with her helmet.
"I'm doing all of the work, all you have to do is hang on tight and enjoy it. I would never put you in a place I didn't deem safe," I told her, as she smiled and nodded while I climbed on. She hesitated again, but did climb onto the seat behind me and tentatively put her arms around my waist.
"You're going to have to do better than that," I warned, as she complained.
"I don't want to hurt you."
"You won't, just hang on tight!" Then I kicked the bike to life. Instantaneously, the little arms wrapped round my waist were tighter and we were off. She squeezed me snugly for most of the ride, but I could hear her laughing before it was over. When we pulled up into my garage, and we were climbing off together, we were both talking animatedly about all of the craziness we'd seen on the way. As she handed me her helmet, I asked, "So, not too bad, right?"
"No! Thank you!" she said happily. "That was fun. I wasn't scared at all, I'm glad that my first ride was with you."
I really liked the sound of that, so I told her, "Glad you liked it."
Then we headed to the elevator to head up to my apartment. I had no idea that when those heavy metal doors closed it would be SEVERAL hours before they opened again. There we were, in a darkened little box, stuck between the fifth and sixth floor with nothing to do for hours on end. So we ended up making out whenever we weren't talking. So even though it wasn't at all the night we planned, it was still the BEST NIGHT EVER!
-Darien
Text To Everyone: From Serena.
Time Stamped 3am
I just walked out of the elevator that Darien and I have been stuck in since we left our meeting! It was dark, the floor was cold, and it was still the BEST NIGHT EVER! Love you guys! Goodnight!
That's all of the this chapter!
Now it's up to you readers, did you Like It, Love It, Hate It, Tolerate It? Let me know! You guys keep me going!
BUT WAIT! If you missed or have already forgotten, I'm posting two chapters this time! So click over for chapter 22 right now! Click it! You know you want to! Hope you like it! Much Love!
-SailorLeia