Chapter 6: A Love Reborn
Darien finally reached the top of the stairs going to his apartment. He was very tired, but Serena kept him awake with her sleepy talk. "I love you Darien. Promise me we'll stay together forever." 'She must be dreaming about the moon kingdom.' He thought to himself. He reached his apartment where the other girls stood waiting for them. He reached into his pocket and brought out his keys and unlocked the door. He unlocked the door, allowing the girls go in first. After flipping the light, he went into his bedroom and gently laid Serena down on his bed. He suddenly wanted to think of it as theirs instead of just his. 'That's just crazy. I really must control myself. I've reprimanded myself once, and I'll do it again.' He covered her with the covers and watched as a smile creeped upon her lips. Even in her sleep she was happy. He pulled out some blankets and pillows for the other girls and brought it to them. Apparently they were going to spend the night at someone's house, Darien thought. They already had pajamas and pillows. 'Oh well. I'll leave them out here in case. I'd might as well sleep on the couch.' He laid out the blankets and pillows on the couch on the other side of the room and went to lie down when a voice behind him startled him. "Darien. Why are you sleeping out here? Come sleep in your bed." He turned to see Serena leaning seductively against the doorframe of his bedroom. He walked towards her and kissed her tenderly on the lips before moving her into his room and closing the door behind them. 'My first kiss, with the one person I've dreamed off. It's so sweet, so gentle. Yet not very demanding. So passionate like I had imagined.' He laid her on the bed before laying his hand on her thigh and slowly bringing it up. She shivered under his touch and pulled him closer. Somehow she found that being with Darien made her feel comfortable. His gentle loving lips on hers brought her millions of miles away from reality. Like she was floating on a river of ecstasy with just her and Darien and no one else. Slowly she came back to reality and realized that she wasn't obeying the dream she had spent her lifetime building. Between kisses she whispered softly against his ear. "I love you Darien, but we shouldn't do this. Not now." Darien kissed her fiercely on the lips before rolling over next to her. He wanted her so bad, but if she weren't ready, he would respect that. He brought her closer to him and laid his head on the head that every so gently laid upon his bare chest. She closed her eyes and slowly fell into a sleep filled with dreams of her mother, and a mysterious little girl.
'I roll over in my sleep and move closer and closer into the strange warmness that I feel. I ignore it, thinking it's my own body heat. But, although I listen to my thoughts, my senses tell me its vaguely familiar. Soon if left and in despair, I scrunch my brow.
Darien slowly got up from his place next to Serena and started to get dressed when he heard her groaning in her sleep. Quickly he slipped his shirt on and walked over to his bed. Gentle he shook her saying, "Serena, it's time to get up." She rolled over, roaming her hand over the space next to her before saying, "It left, the warmth, it's gone. Then she crawled under the covers mumbling something about a quiz. Darien slowly pulled back the covers to reveal Serena talking in her sleep." Serena please get up. I'd hate to have to tickle you to get up." He smiled to himself at what he said. 'I wouldn't mind having to tickle her. Her laughter is so sweet, gentle. Like crystal in the rain, The tinkling of glass slippers in the rose gardens. Oh, Serena, I love you.' Serena yawned before slowly opening her eyes and saying, "Sorry Ms. Haruka, could you repeat the question?" Darien sat down next to her and set her down on his lap before wrapping his arms around her. She sighed contentedly. "Mm, its back. Thank you mom for the blanket." Darien laughed deep within his chest before saying, "Serena, I'm not your mom." Quickly she jumped saying, "Sammy! Get out of my room! Then she blinked a few times before saying happily, "Hiya Darien! What brings you here?" "Um, Serena, I live here remember? This is my apartment." Serena looked around dazed for a little while then said, "Oh yeah. Sorry about that." Slowly she moved across the bed towards Darien and sat back down in his lap. "So you were the warmth I felt all night?" Darien squeezed her gently saying, "I never let you go. I must've been pasted to you or something. Say, you don't have any magnet in that body of yours, do you?" Serena giggled softly, her eyes reflecting laughter. "Last time I checked I didn't, but I guess you'll just never know. I should look into it!" They both laughed before getting up and going to kitchen. Serena looked over at her friends and smiled friends, whom were still sleeping, before sitting down at the table. Darien walked around he kitchen, making breakfast when he looked over at Serena, who was staring thoughtfully at the wall, and said, "Serena, is something wrong?" Serena looked up startled before saying, "Oh, sorry Darien, just thinking." He scratched his head and smiled down at her. "You, think? Dear diary…" "Oh Darien! What a thing to say! Anyway, I was just thinking about now that we've destroyed the negaverse and all of its residents, it's like the scouts aren't needed anymore. I mean we can all go back to our normal lives. But I've forgotten what it's like to be normal. A normal teenage girl who only has to worry about school and friends." She looked down sadly and Darien sat down next to her and touched her hand. "Don't be too quick to think that. It won't be completely normal. Yes, the scouts and everything about it won't be needed, but even if that no longer exists, surely our love is still alive, and will always be. You're a princess now, and I'm your prince, and there's nothing in this world that will change that. Life isn't exactly going to be the same." Serena smiled at him and got up and gave his hug. "I guess you're right. You're all mine, and I'm all yours." Just then they heard some snickering mixed with gagging coming from the other room. Raye stuck out her tongue pretending to gag before saying, "Could you two get any sappier? I mean, my goodness! Do you always like having an audience?" Mina hit her with a pillow. "Oh leave them alone. They're in love, and besides, you're just jealous." Raye picked up a pillow and that started an all-out pillow fight. Serena smiled at her friends before turning back to Darien and saying, "Well, not that they're distracted, I'm going to go eat breakfast." Darien tightened his arms around her restraining her from going towards the stove. "I have a better idea." Then he lowered his head, his lips touching Serena's before pulling her closer into his embrace. Serena pulled Darien towards her, savoring his sweet kiss. Darien gently deepened the kiss, being sure not to scare her away. Serena parted her lips, allowing Darien to slide his tongue into her mouth. They kissed for about a minute more before parting. Serena looked at Darien dazed for a minute then when she found her voice spoke with love and compassion in her voice. "I love you Darien. I want to stay like this forever." Darien gently kissed her on the forehead before saying, "Well, I've got tickets to go to Hawaii with a few of my friends, but they weren't able to go and since we're celebrating, you and your friends can come with me. Would you like to go?" Serena kissed Darien before dancing around the kitchen. "Oh Darien's just the best, no one else can beat him!" Darien laughed before saying, "I take it that's a yes?" Serena stopped in her tracks and ran into his arms and looked up at him, "Yep. But we better share a room, I don't want to be cold all night." Darien smiled before wrapping his arms tightly around her. "I'd never let you go for anything my princess."
A week had passed already and it was finally time for the girls and Darien to leave. As they were boarding the ship, Serena desperately searched herself. Darien looked over at her and said, "Serena, is something wrong?" She looked up, tears running down her red cheeks. She cuddled herself into his arms, avoiding the eyes around her watching. "Oh Darien, I can't find my locket. I've looked everywhere for it. I must find it. It's very important to me." She sobbed against his chest, her tears soaking into his shirt. He gently stroked her hair before moving her at arms-length. "Don't cry Serena. I have it right here. I found it on my bed, and completely forgot I had it. I'm sorry." He reached into his pocket and brought forward a gold, star shaped locket. He handed it to her and as their hands touched and its serene song played, a memory came to them from a time long ago.
** Flash **
Flames burst from below a couple holding eachother. Even in the heat of battle, they showered eachother with love and kisses. Endymion pulled away from Serena and said, "Don't cry my princess. I'll be back for you." Then he reached into a bag hanging from his waist and pulled out a locket. It opened up, playing a soft lullaby, soothing the turmoil Serena felt. Endymion went on, "legend says it'll only play for two people that are deeply in love. You must keep very good care of this and don't forget the time we've had together. Remember when you look at this." Serena agreed before lifting her lips and meeting Endymion's with a passionate kiss. Little did either know it would be their last. Soon they parted and Endymion said, "I must go. Please, for you own protection, stay in the palace with your mother. I'll protect you from out here." Then he laid the locket in her hand, enclosed her fingers over it and left for battle. A single tear ran down her cheek, but she wiped it away saying, "Be careful my love!" then an explosion came, making Serena hit the ground with a thud. Endymion ran to her and said, "Serena, are you ok?" but before she could answer, another explosion came, throwing Endymion into space with the other warriors. "NO! My prince, my love…" Serena knelt down next to the locket she had dropped and opened it. Flashes of memories came back to her in a hurry, like her life flashing before her eyes. She couldn't take it; she couldn't leave without him. She had to do it; end it. "I'm coming my prince! Wait for me!" She ran to the end of her balcony and jumped off after him. "To Queen Serenity, my mother!" She clung to her now dead love until eternal sleep overtook her, bringing her, Endymion and the scouts to the future, on the earth.