Chapter 9

Serena leaned against the door to Darien's apartment, her hands over her face, crying. All kinds of thoughts ran through her head at once. Would she really wait for Darien so they could tell Rini the truth together? Was their relationship over? Had she lost Darien forever? Could she ever tell Rini the truth? All of a sudden, Serena heard footsteps inside Darien's apartment coming towards the door. She quickly ran down the hall so she wouldn't be seen.

Darien came out of his apartment with his school books. He looked up and down the hall as if he felt a presence there with him. His face looked troubled, yet relived at the same time. He had finally got a heavy load off his chest that he had carried every since he met India. She put a shadow over his heart that made him feel guilty about being with Serena.

Only until recently, had he known why that was. Finally, he figured no one was there and walked to the elevator.

When Serena saw that he was gone, she started to go to the elevator. She stopped short, scared that Darien may still be there to see if anyone was really watching him in the hall. Serena decided to take the stairs until she was almost to the lobby, then take the elevator. She had made one thing up for sure in her mind full of questions that were yet to be answered-she had to tell Rini the truth herself. It would be too painful, for both her and Rini, if Darien were there.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

"You should really stay away from Yukito and Meilin, Melanie." Rini warned into the phone. "They're bad news."

"I don't believe you," Melanie replied. "I know you don't like Meilin because you think she is stuck-up, but she's nice if you get to know her. And Yukito is so cute and nice. I think he likes me. Me! Wouldn't that be totally great? I mean every girl in our class wants to go out with him. Actually, every girl in the school would like to go out with him, but they can't 'cause I'll get him before anyone else does. All the boys wouldn't mind going out with Meilin, either. It's like all they had to do was show up to become super popular. That's a great thing about being their friend, too. We're a lot more popular because we are considered their friends."

"Mel, I'm serious!" Rini exclaimed. "I don't want to be their friend. They're bad news. Anyway, look at them. They act like they're a couple or something. It's totally weird. They do everything together, and share everything. Nobody is that nice to their sister or bother. I don't think you should be with them."

"Oh come on, Rini." Melanie pleaded. "Yukito thinks I'm cute. I could really have a boyfriend, maybe even the kind of relationship that Darien and Serena have."

I bet you wouldn't think that if you knew what was going on, Rini thought to herself.

"That's what I always wanted and you know it." Melanie continued. "Why would you try to burst my bubble? I think they're totally cool. That whole thing about seeming like a couple is something a lot of twins do anyway. It's normal-I mean, if they don't hate each other they totally look out for each other. Maybe you're just jealous that Yukito likes me and not you."

Rini blushed a deep red. She remembered how she was totally attracted to Yukito because he reminded her of Darien-which was quite obvious now why. She kind of still was, but after that whole scene yesterday she wasn't sure if she should trust him. It was two of them and only one of her and she could have been pulverized. Actually, she was with one blow. She couldn't even land a hit on Meilin. "I am not jealous!" Rini screamed. "I kind of liked Yukito before, but not anymore. Anyway, I'm not so sure you want a relationship like Serena's and Darien's."

"You're my half sister," flashed through Rini's mind. That was what Meilin had told Rini. She had to get answers from Serena and Darien.

"Why wouldn't I want a relationship like Darien's and Serena's? They love each other so much. They seem like the perfect couple."

"I don't know. Never mind, just forget about it."

"Anyway, come on, Rini, I'm not dumb. I can see that you still like Yukito. Moving on, me and the Twins are going to the movies tonight and that's why I called in the first place, but now I'm not so sure if I want you to come."

"Mel, you can't go with then alone!" Rini exclaimed nervously. "I have to go with you, Melanie."

"Sure. Calm down, Rini. I was going to let you go anyway. I was just playing with you."

Rini was just about to respond when Serena burst through the door. "Serena what's wrong?" Rini asked worried.

"Rini get off the phone." Serena demanded. "I have something very important to tell you."

"What's wrong Serena?" Rini asked hearing the anxiousness in her voice.

"Just get off the phone, Rini!" Serena yelled.

Rini covered the receiver so Melanie couldn't hear what she was saying. "Serena this is a really important phone call." Rini whispered. "It has to do with the enemy. I think they're after Melanie and I have to protect her. This could be really important since we really don't know who the new enemy is."

"Rini, this is a lot more important than that. It also has to do with that. You see for some time we have known who the new enemy is, and now it's not only affecting the future of the world if anything happens, it's also started to affect our family."

At the word our, Rini instantly understood it meant that she could disappear at any moment. Every since Rini came back she could tell Serena and the others were hiding something. She hadn't even seen Darien once since she returned. "What do you mean, Moon Mama?" Rini asked as tears started to well up in her and Serena's eyes.

"Just get off the phone, Rini," Serena replied in a softer tone, trying to be strong at the lowest time in her life.

"Hello?" Melanie asked into the phone. "Rini? Are you still there?"

"Yeah," Rini answered. "I'll go to the movies with you, Just tell me when."

Melanie heard the worry in Rini's voice, but she only thought it was because the whole Twin thing so she didn't think to ask. "We'll come get you from your house. Be ready by seven o' clock."

"Okay, Mel." Rini hung up the phone. She turned back to Serena who looked like she could burst like a dam if she held too much in. All her tears would release from behind her eyes and flood everything. Rini started to think about Meilin and Yukito-now she would finally get the answers she wanted.

Serena looked at Rini and began her story of the past few days-leaving out the ugly scene of what happened earlier. She told Rini about the experiment on the Moon. She told Rini who the enemy was, and what was needed of the one she despised most. Rini sat quietly listening to everything and not understanding why Serena was as sad as she was-yet.

"Serena, you said this had something to do with our family," Rini complained. "I'm glad you finally told me who the enemy was and all, but what does any of this have to do with our future?"

Serena took a deep breath, preparing herself for what was to come. "You know India, right?"

Rini knew she didn't like that name at all. "I am the child of Darien, as you call him in this time, and India." What Meilin had said flashed through her mind. "I've heard of her, and I don't like what I hear at all, either."

"Well, during the time of the Moon Kingdom, she was engaged to Darien. She knew Darien before I ever did. Back then, she gave him up because she didn't like being in the way. Now she has come to get Darien, and the throne, which she stands to inherit if I die."

"What about Darien?" Rini asked, already preparing herself for the answer. "I haven't seen him at all."

Serena looked away from Rini for a moment. She couldn't bear to do this alone, maybe she should have waited for Darien. Now she would have to go through all those embarrassing and heart-wrenching questions without anyone by her side-even if it was her ex-boyfriend. When Serena turned back to Rini tears covered her face. "He has joined Nanashi's and India's side. That's why you didn't see him after the last battle. Also, he and I have broken up. He's with India now."

Rini's face filled with shock. She started to cry frantically. Then, for some reason she turned on Serena. "This is all your fault!" She screamed at the top of her lungs. "Why do you have to be my mother? Why are you so weak? How and why did you let this happen? I've always thought you were a failure, and this proves it!"

"If I'm lucky you will soon disappear and be no more." That memory only added fuel to Rini's fire. She jumped up and pushed Serena with all her might. Serena grabbed Rini to keep her balance, but failed, sending them both reeling and toppling over a chair. Serena fell to the floor with a scream of pain. If anyone were there they surely would have come running to see what was happening. Rini leaped onto Serena and started trying to hit her with everything she had. She struck Serena in her stomach, face, and her legs. Rini hit anything and everything she could. Serena fought back to a losing battle, not having the advantage with Rini on top of her.

Finally, Serena took hold of Rini, holding Rini against her, trying to calm her down. She sat up with Rini in her lap.

Serena held Rini in her arms, both of them crying. Serena rocked Rini in her arms and kissed her forehead. "It will all be all right." Serena cried. Rini just sat in Serena's lap crying uncontrollably. "I won't let anything happen to you. Calm down, Rini. We can get through this, but only if we work together. I need your help. I can't get through this without you. You can't get through this without me."

Rini calmed down so she could speak. "Serena, tell me the truth, do India and Darien have children together?"

"From what Darien has told me today," Serena hesitated, "yes. I don't know anything more than that."

"I do," Rini whispered. "They have twins. Their names are Yukito and Meilin Present. They go to my school. They told me that India and Darien were together, and how they were together in the future. Serena, they're older than me, but only by a few months. That means that Daddy had an affair before I was born. For all I know, it could still be going on, but at home it's so happy and you don't suspect a thing."

"Maybe this is all just the calm before the storm," Serena said. She was deeply wounded by what Rini had said. To know that she was cursed to be with the man she loved, only for him to be with another woman, was the worst thing she could ever have learned about her future. "Rini, you are my life, and I would die for you in an instant. I love you, no matter what, forever."

"I love you too, Moon Mama." Rini cried. "Meilin and her bother attacked me yesterday. I lost the fight. Serena, Meilin can freeze time, she is Pluto's apprentice. I never even knew Pluto was training Scouts. Serena I'm scared, and I don't know what to do."

"You be strong, Rini, you be strong." Serena and Rini sat on the floor silently, crying together. It was better this way, Serena thought. It was better this way-without Darien. "You be strong with me. We need to support each other. If we fail each other we fail our kingdom. Failing you is the worst thing that could ever happen in my eyes. I'll never leave you Rini, and in my heart I know Darien won't either."

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Phoebe looked at Meilin. "What are you doing now?" Phoebe asked. Phoebe was Meilin's cat guardian. She had gray hair and eyes. With a crescent moon on her forehead, she represented the Moon. Phoebe had a twin named Phoebus who was Yukito's guardian. Meilin and Phoebe had been together as long as either of them could remember.

"I am unpacking my belongings," Meilin responded. "I do not want India to think I cannot handle myself. This is my future mother and I should make a good impression. I have always wanted to know what Mother was like when she was younger."

"Don't you think you are over doing it?" Yukito asked, appearing out of nowhere. Meilin jumped back when she heard him.

"I told you not to do that!" Meilin cried. "Honestly, you are just like Father sneaking up on people, coming from nowhere at all. That scares me and you know it, Yukito."

"I am sorry," Yukito apologized. "I do it without noticing. You should improve your senses. We are psychically connected so you should be able to sense me."

"Just because we are does not mean I notice you every time you enter a room." Meilin started to return to her suitcase, but as she did her knees folded under her. Yukito hurried and caught her before she fell to the floor.

"You should not have exhausted yourself like that. Getting us here took a lot out of you. You are nowhere near being an expert, and you know freezing time wipes you out."

"I cannot help it," Meilin said. "How else are we supposed to get our mission accomplished? Our secret could have been out, and people could have been hurt. Anyway, I have been training for years."

"Please go easy," Yukito said with worry in his eyes. He remembered when Meilin had just started training with Pluto, she was only three years old. Pluto had taught her how to freeze small animals, like fish. When Meilin was alone she tried to freeze the pond outside her window. She had lost control and used too much of her energy. Yukito found her passed out in front of the pond in the garden. When he looked at the pond it was frozen. Meilin stayed in bed for a month regaining her energy. Yukito had never been so scared that he would lose Meilin in his life, for more reasons than one.

Meilin looked into Yukito's eyes. "That will not happen again," Meilin said trying to reassure Yukito. She could tell what he was thinking. Yukito stayed with Meilin almost the whole month she was weak. "I'm much older and in much more control of my powers. I can handle myself. I just need a little rest."

"You are not using too much of your energy again?" Phoebus asked walking into the room. "You should conserve your energy. Remember what Pluto said." Phoebus was Yukito's cat guardian, but he had enough to say for both Yukito and Meilin. He really liked to remind Meilin of what Pluto said and to quote her. Phoebus had golden fur and eyes. Instead of a crescent moon, he had the sign of Earth on his forehead. Phoebus represented the Earth and Sun.

Yukito carried Meilin to her bed. "You should rest now. I will finish unpacking for you."

"No need to," Freya said walking into the room. Freya Present was originally India's cat guardian, but when Queen Serenity sent all the Moon Kingdom to the present she turned Freya into a human so she could better look after India. Freya was really smart. She had light brown skin, the color of cocoa. She wore her hair black hair in meatballs, but braided the ponytails and wrapped them into a bun at the back of her head. She had marvelous dark brown eyes that were hidden behind glasses. She wore her white lab coat with a white blouse and black skirt that came to her knees. She looked almost like India if she were older. No one would ever have guessed that they weren't really related at all. "I'll finish her unpacking. You two just sit and talk. Relax. You two have been through a lot and need to converse your energy."

"Thank you, Freya." Yukito said. "Is it all right if we called you Grandmother?"

"Sure," Freya said. "Even though I an only a guardian I see India as my child and you as my grandchildren. Just don't get happy with it. I am still a young woman."

"It is nice to have someone to call Grandmother," Meilin whispered. "Grandmother Serenity died before we even got to know her."

"Yes," Yukito replied bitterly, "about two millennia and then some before we were even born."

"Don't worry about it," Freya replied. I am finished here so I will leave you all to your business. I have to get back to the lab anyway." Freya put the last few items from Meilin's suitcase away and left the room.

"We would like to be alone," Yukito said. "Would you please leave Phoebus and Phoebe?"

"Sure," Phoebe said. "You two need time. Let's go see what Freya is doing in the lab." Phoebe and Phoebus walked out the room and down the hall.

Yukito turned to Meilin with a worried look. "You can stay in bed all day until it is time to go to the movies. I will bring you your food. I want you to be okay." Yukito hugged his twin. He couldn't stand it when Meilin was sick in bed. It was always scary because she was his second self, if one piece died, the other would too. Tears began to well up in Yukito's eyes.

Meilin wiped the tears away from his eyes. "Please do not cry." Meilin begged weakly.

"Your pain is mine. We already share enough pain at the moment as it is. Let's talk about a happier subject, like Mother and Father being together." Meilin smiled. She had always loved the relationship her parents had.

"Where is mother?" Yukito asked. "She did not come home last night."

"Obviously, she was with Father. They have a love that survives ages. It is great that they are together. Anyway, that is private business between her and Father."

"You are the one who said talk about it," Yukito reminded her. "I just wondered where she was."

"Okay, okay. We will just call a truce on the subject."

"Hey," India greeted walking in the room wet with her bathrobe on. "How are you two doing?"

"Well, I am fine, but Meilin needs to rest," Yukito said. "She has been using her energy too much lately."

"That's good," India said. "I'll go downstairs and make you some soup, Meilin. I'm really glad you two are here. Even though it was all a huge surprise, I'm really glad. I hear you two are going to the movies. That's good because I have training with Freya today, so I won't be able to entertain you. I'll be back up with your soup in a couple of minutes." India went over to the bed and kissed Yukito and Meilin on the cheek and started for the door.

"Wait!" Meilin yelled. India turned back, and Meilin smiled. "Thank you, Mother."

India smiled. She turned away and wiped a fugitive tear off her cheek. Then, she walked out of the room.