"Redemption"
Chapter 17
The sun filtered into the hospital bedroom with fresh warmth, casting long stretches of light and shadow over Serena Tsukino's bed. Nestled in the comfort of blankets and a fluffy pillow, she reveled in the quiet, thankful for the end of the Ice Queen and her parade of demons. It was the morning following the fight that she had been admitted for severe injuries, incurred from the previous evening. The blonde knew that the others were probably pacing hurriedly in the waiting room, pleading for information and the right to visit. Boy did she wish they would. It was almost too quiet in the room, except for the familiar bleeping of the monitors.
She had been weak and silent all through the night, for her powers last night illustrated a sort of energy that had exceeded anything they'd ever known. With a yawn Serena felt the call of sleep come over her and she readily succumbed. At last, peace and quiet.
*~*~*
Darien Chiba leaned back against the nurse station's counter, running a nervous hand through his midnight hair. He turned to the stout nurse beside him and offered a small smile. "Do you think she'll be alright?" Darien inquired with a worried tone in his voice, hands in his pockets.
"Mr. Chiba," she replied a bit aggravated, "you've asked me a hundred times already." She hurriedly scanned the clipboard she held in her hands, beady brown eyes illustrating sheer boredom.
"I'm just worried, that's all," he answered quickly, but distantly. "If anything happened to her…"
Suddenly he felt the warmth of her hand on his lower arm, and she looked up at him with a surprisingly gentle smile. "Mr. Chiba, I'm quite sure that she will be just fine. But we'd like to keep her overnight for observation if needed," she answered. Darien nodded thankfully, his Prussian eyes sparkling with relief.
"Can she have visitors?"
"I think the doctor wants to see how she's doing first." Darien thanked her and turned on his heels; his destination: the waiting room. Immediately upon his return, just as he'd guessed, he was bombarded by twenty questions at once.
"Is she going to be okay?" Sabrina wondered, thoughtfully tapping her chin.
"Can we see her?" Mina and Raye chimed in excitedly.
"What's going on?" Luna cut in, sitting upon Amy's lap.
"Did you see her?!" Lita demanded, green eyes almost foreboding. Amy rested her chin in her hands, sighing sympathetically. Poor Darien, they really had it in for him.
"Darien!" Rini exclaimed through gritted teeth as she tugged on his shirtsleeve.
"Girls! Girls, relax…they expect a full recovery and might keep her overnight…" he said trying to clam them down. He heard their reponses, and even felt Rini tugging at his sleeve, but his mind and soul were immersed in the fact that his beloved was alive and well. He'd nearly lost her, and he'd never let it come to that again. "I'm going to get some air," he said softly, and got up to leave. The girls were chatting quietly as he left, and were thankful that their leader and dear friend was hanging on tight. Darien, however, needed some time. So much had happened, and by the mystical ways of the four sisters, he'd lost himself in Eve. Of course he loved Serena with all of his heart, but he couldn't help but feel guilty and responsible for the entire ordeal.
He slid the hospital door open and stepped out into the mid-afternoon air, breathing in deep. "I missed this so much."
"As did I," a soft voice agreed from behind.
"Eve?"
The burgundy haired young-woman stepped forward, an apologetic expression on her face. "I'm sorry, I don't mean to intrude."
A brief smile took over Darien's features and he turned away to face the cerulean sky. "You're not," he said. "I just needed some air."
"Me too. I felt a little light-headed inside," Eve went on. She stepped up beside him, but refused to meet his gaze.
"I never realized how gorgeous it is until now. I never really appreciated the world until we almost lost it-again," Darien added comically. He glanced over at Eve who took little notice of his wisecrack. "Something wrong?" Darien wondered, noticing how unusually quiet she was.
"I just can't help but wonder about everything. I still feel responsible for all of this. She forgave me, but-oh I don't know anymore." She forced a smile at Darien, but the sadness in her hazel eyes betrayed her expression.
"Serena loves people, and she has the biggest heart I've ever known. She really does care for everyone…"
"She truly does," Eve agreed, pulling her windbreaker tighter. "What happened, Darien?" Her voice was sullen and quiet. "I need to be honest…I really do care for you. But I've gone through a lot this past year, even aside from the nightmare of the Storm Sisters and their Queen, and I think that's had an enormous effect on me. I didn't want things to happen the way that they did."
"It's in the past, Eve. I've learned that sometimes the past should stay just there…in the past. What happened…well I don't know how to explain it. I guess we just have to move on. When I realized what Serena had thought after seeing us, I was just blown away. I felt almost betrayed that she didn't trust me, but I understand that she felt insecure. After that, all I could think about was finding her before I lost her."
"You really do love her, don't you?" Eve spoke, more of in a statement than a question. He nodded vigorously in response.
"After they used their dark magic to manipulate me…I went looking Serena. I guess they thought it'd be a bonus if they could snag me too. Luckily though, Sailor Pluto saved me before I died."
"What about Serena?" Eve asked quietly. "Did she really die, Darien?"
"Almost," he replied with a sigh, "Glimmer had destroyed her broach and killed most of her physical being. Her spirit, however, was still alive and Pluto was able to freeze time on her spiritual essence so that she could retrieve her and nurse her back to health. She did the same for me."
"Deva was so sad…" the wine-haired woman said gently. "She loved Diamond with all of her heart, and in the end she lost out once again. She wanted all of us to feel forlorn and forsaken, empty and unloved like she had for centuries. I understand how she feels now. Before I came to Tokyo with Sabrina, I'd recently broken up with someone and I was devastated. I just needed comfort and the thought of us being apart drove me mad. And all I hoped for was that one moment where everything we felt would be redeemed, and we'd have another chance. I mean, we've all been through it before, but I guess Deva just couldn't handle it. Her love for Diamond was so great; it blinded her from the big picture. And in the end, both of them were equal-they were free."
"Hm," the young man answered, "I guess they were."
Now that everything had been explained, there were no more questions. It was time for peace and relaxation…for the darkness they faced and defeated was the greatest evil they'd ever known. With a smile and a nod, the two friends went back into the hospital to receive any new information on their hospitalized Princess.
As the group reassembled, the doctor came in a few minutes later saying that they could come back the next morning to visit her. Darien, however, had plans of his own.
*~*~*
It was about 9 o'clock and most of the nurses had gone to dinner or were preparing for their nightly rounds. Darien, taking full advantage of such a setup, sneaked into Serena's hospital room eager to see his beloved. He pressed his fingers lightly against the gray door, and it slid open slowly with a slight creak. He could see her perfectly and she looked radiant. The moonlight that flooded into her room from the window beside her bed washed over her, bathing her in luminescence.
The room was stuffy so he advanced to the window and opened it, letting in a cool breeze and a perfect view of the moon and the stars. "My beautiful Princess…" Darien whispered sitting down on the bed beside her. He placed his hand on her own, marveling at the silken feel of her skin. "I nearly lost you."
Serena was peacefully asleep and thankfully recovering from her wounds. Darien, relieved at the soft sound of her breathing, allowed his gaze to wander to the window. The stars twinkled brightly against the black canvas sky, beside a brilliant moon.
"Darien…is that…you?" Serena stirred suddenly, her clear blue eyes fluttering open.
"Serena," he exclaimed softly, squeezing her hand reassuringly. "It's me. How are you feeling?"
"I feel better…I feel," she murmured, a warm smile gracing her pink lips, "safe." Darien smiled and sat onto the bed beside her, placing an arm around her shoulders. "I'm just worn out…is everyone else okay?"
Darien nodded, "They were overjoyed to see you again. They love you very much Serena…but I love you more." He leaned down and kissed her forehead tenderly.
The blonde reached up and traced the outline of his jaw, the touch of her finger like a feather. "I love you, Darien. I'm just so thankful Pluto found the both of us in time." They looked into each other's eyes adoringly.
"Look my beautiful Princess…do you see that moon out there tonight?" Serena turned and marveled at that beautiful sight. She nodded gently. "You are a billion times more brilliant than the light of any moon, star, or sun. You are my shining beauty and my one true love." He leaned down again and they engaged in a passionate kiss.
The faint sound of tinkling, like the jingling of delicate chimes filled the room and the union broke. "What is…" Serena trailed off suddenly. Their attention slowly fell upon the windowsill. Through the light of the moon that flooded in through the window, began to appear a soft glowing, accompanied by several swirling, twinkling balls of light. With the gentle sound of chimes, the outline of two forms became clear.
"Serena," Darien whispered protectively. Within moments, the glowing faded and two forms were left in its place.
"But-I don't understand," Serena exclaimed shrilly. "How can this be, I-
"Princess Serenity of the White Moon Kingdom," the feminine voice spoke melodiously, a smile upon her face. "We are honored to be in your presence."
"D-Deva?" the blonde stammered, stiffening as she tried to sit up. For before her, truly stood the aforementioned young woman. She looked positively radiant, and a euphoric, grateful expression covered her face. Her purple eyes literally glowed with joy, and her long silver mane was pulled back into a long braid, a few errant strands framing her face. Clothed in a gown of satiny blue fabric, she looked just like a Princess-and a happy one at that. For beside her, stood Deva's beloved Prince Diamond, his arm around her waist.
"Princess Serenity, Sailor Moon, Serena. I can never speak of how grateful we are to you," Diamond said, regarding Deva. "We were torn apart by greed, manipulation, and utter madness. And for giving us a second chance, I must thank you. I am forever in your debt."
"He's right, Serenity," Deva agreed with a nod. Her voice was so full of life and it could be seen clearly that she was charming and charismatic. "You have given us a second chance at love. I mean, it must seem so crazy and utterly insane. But I realized before you wielded your great power, and I before I left this world, that you fight with purity and honest love in your heart. Despite the enemy, you are willing to forgive and to heal. And you have given me-given us-such a gift."
"Deva, I-you're welcome," Serena exclaimed, glancing at Darien. The young soldier could feel him squeeze her hand affectionately. "But...why are you here?"
"I was wrong to ever blame you for losing Diamond. What occurred between us was a strange twist of fate. I mean, I wanted nothing but to punish the world, and the woman I thought responsible, for what happened. And so I was determined to tear your beloved away from you, as I had thought you'd done to me. Though I was wrong, and I am thankful to see that now. With your ability to forgive, your kind heart, you gave us back what we lost. I wanted to thank you, Eternal Sailor Moon. I wanted to show you what your heart has done for me. Thank you."
"Lady Deva, I'm so glad that you're happy. The both of you," Serena added, a stunned, but glorious smile on her face.
"The Wise Man wanted Deva and I apart…because he felt that any true affection would stand in the way of total domination. I realized all too late that his intentions were purely self-motivated and I was merely his puppet. I died thanking you for helping me to see that. I was so blind. I had to lose a brother, and the woman I loved in truth," Diamond spoke, regarding Deva with a smile, "to finally understand."
Deva broke away from Diamond's hold for a moment and stepped towards the hospital bed, her hands clasped in front of her chest. "The Infinite Storm Sisters had no true grasp of the concept that I wished to make a reality. I admit the torment I was sentenced to, well it drove me insane. I just wanted back what I once had. And now, without the anger, the hatred, and the pain...I have it all and more. Kami bless you both," she spoke passionately, bowing to both Serena and Darien. Deva, her long hair streaming down her back, turned to face Diamond again and took his hands in hers. Their deep purple eyes mirrored one another's. "We've been redeemed from darkness and finally, our souls can rest. Thank you, Princess Serenity. Your name will be immortalized among the stars for what you've given us."
A warm smile overcame Serena and she regarded them both with tears of joy as she noted that their dark moons had been replaced with silver stars. "I am thankful to know that you can finally be free. Together." Darien clutched her hands and they watched, still shocked, as the two forms locked in a kiss and faded into the night.
Darien and Serena remained in silence for a moment, registering what had just occurred. And suddenly Serena spoke, admitting what she too felt. "I think that this whole thing has been a lesson for me-as it has been for Diamond and Deva. It has showed me how truly precious life is and that each moment is one to be treasured. I thought you had left me for Eve…I don't blame her for doing what she did. She never knew that I was the Moon Princess…it was a mistake and I have forgiven her for it."
Darien smiled, stroking her forehead.
"Never mind that we were all manipulated by the sisters!" she added with a laugh.
"The truth is, Sere, before we met…I had known a girl named Eve. She had moved away and I liked her as a close friend but apparently she wanted more. I guess she returned here, after leaving an intense relationship and was utterly devastated. I guess she was on the rebound...and realized that perhaps the affection between us had grown. It didn't, but because of the sisters and the hand fate dealt us, I'm ashamed of betraying you like I did."
"It's not your fault, and I understand that. I love you, that's all that matters," the blue-eyed beauty answered. "In the light of the Moon, in the midst of the darkness, we've been redeemed. This was my time of redemption…to be able to stand up once again and to know that I can and will, forever protect my friends-even if it means my life to save the world and everyone in it. Prince Diamond and Lady Deva found one another again and despite the worldly perils, they cast off their pains and sorrows. With forgiveness, they've been redeemed and their hearts and souls can be at peace. They know that they belong together, just as we do. And I know that the same applies to us."
"Meatball head, you're everything to me, you know that, don't you?" Darien said after a moment, pondering her words as he pat one of her odangoes affectionately.
"Of course," she replied with a sweet smile as she looked up at him, blinking her eyes cutely.
Darien beamed a smile at her lovingly and they kissed tenderly. Turning to the window in the warmth one another's arms, they reveled in the brilliance of the full moon.
~Owari~
