Title: Winter Snow
Author: Crystal Saturn
Rated: PG
Chapter: 26- Winter Snow
Last time on "Winter Snow".
"Hey." Serena smiled warmly. "How is everything?"
"Good. Better" Darien smiled as he corrected himself "But there's something I need to talk to you about." Darien's smile faded away as his eyes grew dark and his expression grew serious.
"Ok. what's up?" Serena asked, taking a seat next to Darien
"Something happened while you were gone." Darien began
"What? What happened?" Serena asked, concerned.
" Crystal spoke to me though our mind link." Darien couldn't help but give a small smile. Serena squealed excitedly and hugged Darien. He didn't move to return the hug.
"Serena," Darien peeled his ex-girlfriend off him. "There's something else I need to talk to you about."
"Oh, Okay. Sure." Serena grew quiet and cautious as she searched into Darien's eyes for answers,
"I." Darien struggled to find a way to begin. Flashbacks played over and over in his mind. Serena being torn away from his arms.
"Darien..?" Serena asked calmly
"Serena…" Vivid flashes exploded in Darien's mind. They passed too quickly for anyone to see what they were but Darien knew. He knew all too well what the flashes were. Images of his future. Horrified screams pierced the air as the flashes continued and Darien groaned, clutching his head. He couldn't take anymore. He felt torn.
"Darien!" Serena exclaimed. She moved over to Darien and as her hand touched his, a series of flashes replayed in her mind. Pain surged through her body, making her yelp out and fall to her knees. As Darien thought the torture would never end, the visions stopped and once again there was silence all around them. Serena remained on the floor. Only memories of what Darien saw and her own dreams of the past haunted her. She struggled as she gasped for air.
"W-what, what was that?" Serena managed after a few minutes. By then Darien had already composed himself and had his fists clenched.
"That is what I've seen in my dreams every night for over months now." Darien confessed, looking up at the hospital ceiling. Serena remained silent. She didn't know what to say.
"Darien. I've had that dream" Serena finally admitted. Darien's eyes shot down to the small blonde girl. "Last night." She confirmed, tears began to fall from her bright blue eyes. "It was so horrible."
"I know." Darien pulled the girl into his arms and held her tight. "That was the reason I ended our relationship." Darien added "I realize how incredibly stupid I was. I can't possibly protect you if I'm not with you" Tears began to form in Darien's eyes "I'm sorry Serena. I love you. I always have. I always will. I love you." Darien whispered. Serena held onto Darien as if she would never let go.
"Oh Darien." She whispered into his chest.
"Please forgive me. I'm sorry Rena. I never meant to hurt you. I love you" Darien apologized once more. He then pulled away from Serena to look her in the eyes. "Do you forgive me?" Darien asked quietly. Serena looked down for a moment before looking back at Darien. She paused and looked him in the eyes, remaining silent. She wanted to trust him, but how did she know if he was telling the truth this time? Darien felt a million emotions rush through him during those few moments that felt like they would last forever.
"Yes." Serena finally spoke "I love you Darien." She smiled, and his lips once again embraced hers.
"Ah… hrr.." a quiet sound caused the couple to pull apart swiftly and look around guiltily. No one had entered the room and the door was still closed. "Do you mind?" A soft voice filtered through the air. Darien's gaze then turned to Crystal. Her eyelids fluttered open revealing her sparkling violet eyes once more.
"Crystal!" Darien exclaimed, grinning.
"Yes, that is I." She gently quipped. "Honestly, what you two do is entirely up to you, but please keep it private and do it in your own time!" Crystal gave a soft smile.
"Crys!" Serena giggled as she ran over to give her a hug.
"How are you feeling?" Darien asked
"Better. Sheesh bro, it took you damn long enough to tell Rena." Crystal shook her head. Before Darien could reply, a soft tapping could be heard at the door.
"Knock knock. It's just- Oh my gosh! Crys!" Mina exclaimed as she ran over to her close friend and fellow match-maker, waving a bunch of flowers around, causing the petals to fly everywhere.
"Mina!" Crystal returned the enthusiasm "Lita! Amy! Raye!" Crystal exclaimed excitedly as one by one they entered the room, giving her hugs. "You're all here! I've missed you guys so much!" Crystal added as a tear of happiness trickled down her cheeks.
"We've missed you too!" The girls exclaimed in unison as they all met once more for a group hug.
"The Sailor Scouts just aren't the same without you Cryssy!" Serena commented
"And I don't have anyone to exchange recipes with." Lita winked
"Speaking of food, the arcade food isn't as nice either!" Mina added
"And the temple is much too peaceful and quiet for my liking." Raye claimed
"And study isn't as exciting without you either" Amy continued
"Not to mention how quiet the apartment is without you." Darien concluded "Don't ever do anything like that again!" Darien spoke for all of them. Crystal smiled warmly.
"I won't." Her eyes lit up as she looked at everyone there.
[Tap Tap]
"How's our patient? Awake already as I hear?" Dr. Anderson walked into the room smiling. Dr. Anderson began to check Crystal's progress and her stats. "Sorry everyone but Crystal just woke up and I'm afraid she needs as much rest as she can possibly get." Dr. Anderson added.
"Aww!!" Mina frowned
"Don't worry, you all can come back early tomorrow morning to see Crystal again." Dr. Anderson smiled warmly
"I'll give you 10 minutes alone then you'll all have to leave. Go home and get some rest." With that, Dr. Anderson gently shut the door behind her. The 10 minutes were spent saying their goodbyes and with some words of strength and hope in them.
"Goodnight Dare." Crystal whispered into Darien's ear as he bent down to hug his sister. "You will find that you'll have a better nights' sleep now." Crystal smiled.
"Goodnight Cryssy." Darien kissed Crystal on her forehead "You get as much rest as you can and we'll take you home as soon as possible" Darien ruffled up his kid sisters hair playfully. He grinned happily as he closed the door behind him and made his way back home.
Crystal sighed as she snuggled into the sheets of the hospital bed and prepared to get some sleep. As she closed her eyes, dark visions began to playback. A nightmare played and Crystal frowned in her sleep. Horror... Pain... Death... Destruction. Crystal gasped in her bed as she awoke to daylight and a tall figure standing at the end of her bed.
"Who are you?" Crystal asked. The figure remained silent "Wait, I know you. You were in my dream." Crystal thought deeply about her dream and the figure nodded.
Meanwhile, Darien woke up bright and early that morning, with a smile on his face. He had his love back and his sister had awoken from the brink of death. The two people who mattered the most to him were safe. Darien was deliriously happy. He couldn't wait to bring Crystal back home. The apartment definitely sounded empty without her laughter and cheeriness.
Darien worked through his usual morning routine happily and at 9 am he drove the car out of the car park and headed off to the hospital to see his little sister again. He stepped out of the elevator with a broad smile across his face, walked down the corridor and stopped at Crystal's door. Debating whether or not to knock on the door, Darien finally decided to open the door quietly, just in case Crystal was still sleeping. He opened the door slowly and peered in only to see an empty bed.
"Crystal?" Darien walked into the hospital room, looking around. The bed had been freshly made. The flowers were still in their vases and everything was left as it was before. Crystal's hospital garments lay neatly folded on the edge of the bed that she was laying in only a few hours before. On the pillow lay a note addressed to Darien. It had been written in Crystal's hand. Darien looked at the note nervously before deciding to read it. He sat down on the bed, opened the note and read it out loud to himself:
Dearest Darien,
Ok, ok. Please don't freak out just yet. I understand that by now you would've realized that I'm no longer in the hospital. I've left to a location which I cannot tell you about right now. But don't worry, I'm safe. What am I doing? Well, I cannot tell you what I am doing or exactly when I will be back, but I promise I will be no longer than a few weeks. What I'm doing is extremely important and cannot wait. Please don't worry! I'm fine! I promise I'll be back. I don't know when. It depends. But you'll be the first to know when I'm back. Wait for the cherry blossoms to fall and wait for me in the Winter Snow.
Love Always, Your Little Sister.
Crystal
[PS- Don't forget to go shopping regularly. Oh, and never forget that I love you. Smile ok?]
Darien smiled as he folded the note once more. He knew she would be alright and he knew that she would be home, safe and sound soon as well. Darien walked over to the hospital window and looked out, up at the sky. The cold wind rushed past and chilled all that were outside. A signal that Autumn would soon be overcome by Winter once more. He gave a small sigh as if he were waiting for the clouds to fall, once again blanketing Tokyo in Winter Snow.
(End)
Crystal Saturn
