Disclaimer - I do not own the rights to any of the characters in the fanfic. They belong to their proper creators/companies. Enjoy!
AN - I want to thank Sam for giving me the idea for this part. You may not remember giving me the idea, but you'll know what I'm talking about, I hope. -_-* Thanks for the idea! Well, onto the fanfic, now.
Unity - Serena and Kento
This takes place during "This Time Around, Part 16," sometime during the two weeks before Rini, Lotus, and Kitiana go back to the future.
AN - We'll just assume all the Scouts have returned to their homes, and the Ronins are living with Mia still. Remember, they're in the Scouts' world now, and Mia's house is somewhere in the Juuban District. Now that that's cleared up, onto the fanfic! ^_^
"Serena," Rini exclaimed, bouncing onto the teenager's bed, startling her. Serena sat up slowly, blinking and rubbing her eyes.
"What … what is it," Serena asked a little irritably.
"Are you awake yet," Rini asked.
"Well, I am now," Serena grumbled. She looked over at the clock and sighed. "Why are you in here so early, anyway?"
"We're supposed to met Lotus and Kento, remember," she replied. "Now get up and get ready! I want to hang out with Yuli before we go."
"Give me five more minutes, Rini," Serena said, laying back down.
"No, get up now," Rini exclaimed, yanking the covers off of her.
"Oh, you're just as bad as Luna," Serena grumbled, throwing her legs over the side of the bed. Rini smiled and ran towards Serena's door.
"I'll see you downstairs," she exclaimed. "Don't go back to sleep!" Serena rolled her eyes, and then stood up, stretching her arms.
"Well, at least I'll be able to spend some time with Kento," she thought as a smile came onto her face. "And I'll be able to spend even more time with Lotus and Rini." She shook her head as she made her bed. "It's worth losing sleep over," she concluded out loud.
"What's worth losing sleep over," a voice came from the door. Serena turned around to see her mother standing in the door.
"Oh, Mom," Serena exclaimed. "Good morning! Did you need something?"
"No, sweetheart," her mother replied. "Rini just asked me to come up here and check on you, to make sure you didn't go back to sleep."
"I told her I was getting up," Serena exclaimed.
"Alright, then," she replied. "Where are you two headed off to?"
"Well, we're going to meet Kento and his little brother at the carnival," Serena replied. "I don't know when we'll be back, though."
"Okay then, sweetie," her mother said. "Just have fun."
"Mom," Serena exclaimed as her mother turned to leave. She turned back around with a questioning look on her face. "I was just wondering … What do you think of Kento?"
"He's a very nice young man, Serena," she replied with a smile. "And a very brave one, considering how your father acts when you talk about boys. I was surprised he came to meet us, actually. I like him."
"Thanks, Mom," Serena said.
"Just have fun, sweetie," she stated. "And if your cousin gives you too much trouble, just bring Rini back here, okay?" With that, she turned and closed the door behind her.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
"Hi Serena," Lotus greeted as he opened the door and saw his future mother standing on the other side. He looked around, and frowned. "Where's Lotus Blossom?"
"Rini ran around the back, to see if Yuli was back there playing with White Blaze," Serena replied, stepping into the house. She shook her head and sighed. "She didn't even come in and say hi."
"It's something you have to get used to," Lotus stated. "She can be a brat sometimes."
"I've learned that the hard way," Serena said with a laugh. "Is Kento awake yet?"
"Yeah, he's upstairs," Lotus replied with a smile.
"Thanks, Lotus," Serena said. "Go and get your sister, and we'll leave. I guess we can decide what we're going to do once we actually leave."
"I'll go and get her," he stated. Serena nodded her head, and then walked up the stairs. She knocked on the door when she got to Kento's room, and entered when she heard a muffled reply to come in.
"Kento," she asked, poking her head in. She saw him sitting on his bed, tying his shoes, and she stepped into the room, closing the door behind her. He looked up and smiled.
"Good morning, Serena," he replied as she walked towards him. He stood and kissed her gently as he wrapped his arms around her. She returned his kiss and as they broke apart, she smiled.
"Good morning to you, too," she stated cheerfully. "What are you doing up so early?"
"I couldn't sleep," he said, shrugging his shoulders. He wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her closer to him. "What about you?"
"Rini," she replied. "She was so excited about coming over here, that she woke me up. I didn't mind, though." Kento smiled and released his hold on Serena. He walked over to his dresser, and picked up his wallet. He checked to see how much money was there, and then put it in his pocket.
"So, what are we going to do today," he asked, ushering her towards the door.
"I was thinking we could take Rini and Lotus to the carnival in town," she replied. "But first, we can do whatever they want to do." She looked over her shoulder at him and smiled. "Then later, we can have time to ourselves."
"That sounds like a plan to me," he replied, returning her smile. When they got downstairs, they found Lotus and Rini waiting for them. "Hey you two," Kento greeted them. "Are you ready to go?"
"Let's go," Rini exclaimed. "Can we go to the mall? Or do some shopping?"
"Can we go to Tokyo Tower," Lotus asked, almost at the same time.
"Sure, we can do all that," Serena replied. "We'll do whatever you two want to do." The small group headed out the door, towards the bus stop.
"Kento," Rini began. "Can you put me on your shoulders?"
"Sure, Rini," he stated. He hoisted her up onto his shoulders, and she rested her chin on the top of his head as she got comfortable.
"We're going to make the most of today," Serena thought inwardly. "They'll be gone in no time, and I want to spend as much time with them as possible." She grabbed Lotus' hand, and he looked at her, surprised. She smiled at him. "My family."
"Where are we going first, Serena," Lotus asked.
"Tokyo Tower," she replied.
"That's not fair," Rini exclaimed, whining a bit. "I want to go shopping!"
"We can go shopping first," Lotus conceded.
"Well, we're going to pass the Tokyo Tower first, so that's where we're going," Serena stated. Rini pouted, but remained quiet. The small group rode the bus to the landmark, and rode the elevator to the top.
"So, what do you think, Lotus," Serena asked as they took in the sight. "Do you like it?"
"It's awesome," Lotus replied. "It's nice seeing how Tokyo used to look before. We can see the whole city from here!"
"I'm glad you like it, Lotus," Kento replied. "This is the first time I've seen the city from this position, too. It is pretty awesome." After a few more minutes of sightseeing, the group made their way back down the tower, and to the bus. They got off in the shopping district, and Rini looked around in wonderment.
"This is going to be fun," she exclaimed. Lotus groaned.
"You must not like shopping much," Kento asked him. "You must get it from me, because neither do I. Not after Serena and the other girls dragged me and the guys around for hours."
"Hey, don't you complain, mister," Serena exclaimed, poking him in the chest. "You're wearing the shirt I picked out!" She turned her attention towards Lotus. "Don't worry, Lotus," she told him. "There's this café and arcade I'll take you to. I think you'll enjoy it."
"For now, we'd better just grin and bear it," Kento told him. "Otherwise, they'll just take longer." Serena hit him playfully, and then she pulled him and Lotus along as Rini made her way towards a store. After a couple of hours of looking around in the shops, and window shopping, the small group passed a photo booth.
"Look, you guys," Serena exclaimed. "Do you want to take some pictures?" Kento, Rini, and Lotus looked at each other, and Serena put her hands on her hips. "Come on you guys, it will be fun!"
"That's a good idea, Serena," Kento said. "Come on, you two." The quartet got into the booth, and sat down. Lotus sat in between Serena and Kento, and Rini sat on Kento's lap, her tiny arms wrapped around his neck. Kento put the money into the machine, and then wrapped his free arm around Lotus and Serena, while Serena grabbed Lotus' hand. The four smiled as the first picture snapped. The machine flashed several more times before it stopped.
"Let's see them," Serena exclaimed, being the first to climb out of the booth. She took the pictures and looked at them, giggling at some of the shots. She walked slowly towards the bench, and the trio she left behind ran to catch up with her. As she sat on the bench, Rini and Lotus sat on either side of her, so that they could see the pictures as well.
"This is a nice one," Kento said, referring to the first picture they had taken.
"I don't know, Kento," Serena replied. "I really like this one." She pointed to the one she was talking about, causing Kento to smile. In the picture, Rini was sitting on Lotus' lap, and both Serena and Kento had their arms wrapped around the children and each other. A sad look came over Serena's face, and Kento cleared his throat.
"Yeah, maybe you're right," Kento stated, placing his hand over hers. He brought her hand up to his lips and kissed it, then turned to Rini and Lotus. "So, are you two ready to go to that carnival?"
"Yeah," they exclaimed in unison. Kento chuckled, and then smiled.
"Alright, then, let's go," he stated. He put Rini on his shoulders once again, and Lotus walked in between Serena and Kento as they made their way out of the shopping district, towards the carnival.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
Later that night, the group returned to Mia's house. Lotus was on Kento's back, half-asleep, and Serena was carrying a sleeping Rini. The two teenagers made their way to the house, and up the stairs, placing the children in the bedroom. Lotus went into the one he had been sleeping in, and Rini went into the one Serena had slept in, during the Scouts' stay at the house. Serena quietly closed the door behind her, and found Kento waiting for her in the hall.
"I guess we wore them out," she whispered as the two teenagers made their was downstairs.
"Yeah, I'd say," Kento stated with a chuckle. "I'm surprised they didn't fall asleep earlier, instead when we were on the way back here." He grew quiet, and a frown appeared on his face as he and Serena sat on the couch. "Serena?"
"What's the matter, Kento," she asked, tilting her head to the side.
"When are you and Rini going to go back to your house? How are you going to get there," he asked, glancing at the clock. "It's getting late."
"I'll just stay here tonight," she replied with a shrug. He looked at her, surprised.
"What about your dad," he asked incredulously. "He's not going to go for that!"
"I'll just tell them the truth," she stated nonchalantly, giggling at the look on Kento's face. "Don't worry! I won't get either of us into trouble. I'll be right back." She got up and went into the kitchen to call her parents. A few minutes later, she returned. Kento looked at her as she sat back down next to him.
"Well, what did they say," he asked.
"They said it was alright," she stated. "I told you everything would be fine."
"You didn't lie to them or anything, did you," he asked. "I don't want you to get into trouble."
"No, Kento, now stop worrying," she exclaimed. "All I told them was that Rini fell asleep, and that we'd be staying the night over here, as Mia's guests."
"And they didn't mind," he asked uncertainly.
"Nope," she said. "Just think of it this way, Kento. Yuli's going to be surprised when he wakes up and finds Rini here." She gave him a mischievous smile.
"Sounds like you're trying to stir up some trouble, Serena," Ryo teased as he came into the room.
"Oh don't you start too, Ryo," Serena exclaimed, turning towards him. She studied him, noticing a bag in his hand. "Where are you going?" Her question caused Kento to turn around and look at Ryo as well.
"To Rei's," he replied. "To spend more time with Kitiana." Kento raised an eyebrow at him, and Ryo blushed slightly. "It's true," he exclaimed. She's only going to be here for a couple more days, you know."
"Hey, I didn't say anything," Kento exclaimed defensively. "Where is everyone, anyway?"
"I don't really know," Ryo replied. "The only thing I know is that Mia and Anubis are out." He shrugged his shoulders. "I'm sure the others are around, because Mia wouldn't have left Yuli here by himself." He waved his good night, and then left the house.
"Bye Ryo," Serena and Kento said in unison. The two settled back on the couch, and Kento turned on the TV, flipping through the channels. He glanced over at Serena, and noticed a sullen look on her face.
"Serena, what's wrong," he asked. She looked over at him, and there were tears in her eyes.
"Oh, Kento," she exclaimed. "Ryo has a good point! Lotus and Rini are only going to be here for a little while longer. I'm going to miss them so much! I wish they didn't have to go back so soon." She began to cry, and Kento took her into his arms.
"Shh," he whispered, cradling her in his arms. "I'm going to miss them, too, but the only thing we can do is spend as much time with them as possible. That's what today was about, and that's how it's going to be until they do leave. They'll appreciate any time we can spend with them."
"You're right, Kento," she replied. She looked up towards him, tracing her hand across his jaw line and then, holding his chin firmly she kissed him softly. He deepened their embrace, and wrapped his arms around her tightly. She smiled at him as they broke apart, and then rested her head against his chest. "Thank you, Kento," she said quietly.
"Let's find something to watch," he suggested, resting his chin on the top of her head. He flipped through the channels, and finally came to rest on a romantic-comedy. About halfway through the movie, Serena heard a soft snore, and looked up.
"Kento," she asked, sitting up slightly. She shook him, however it was useless. She smiled and stood up slowly, careful not to wake him up. She went to the closet, and after she pulled out a blanket, walked back over to where he was asleep. "You would fall asleep," she said softly.
"I didn't mean to," he mumbled in his sleep. She smiled down at him. Then, sitting down next to him, she carefully took off his house shoes, and pulled his legs onto the spacious couch. She put the blanket over him, and as she was about to leave, he reached out and grabbed her arm.
"Kento," she asked, checking to see if he was still asleep.
"Don't go, Serena," he said groggily. "Stay, just until I fall asleep."
"Alright, I will," she replied. He turned onto his side so that she would have room to lay down, and she curled up into his side. She pulled the blanket to cover them both, and then stretched up to kiss him on the chin. "Good night, Kento," she whispered. He smiled unconsciously, and wrapped an arm around her. She slowly closed her eyes, and soon fell asleep.
Fin.
There you have it, everyone! I hope you enjoyed the Unity side-stories. It's sad that the entire series is at an end, including This Time Around, but I do have other fanfic ideas in mind. Please leave your comments. ^_^ Bye for now, everyone!