Chapter 10
Rini had calmed down since earlier that day. For the rest of the day, Serena and Rini talked about the happier times in their life. Rini filled Serena in on more of her life in the Moon Kingdom and told her about birthdays and parties. Serena and Rini made cookies, which were burnt, and talked and had fun.
Rini hated to break up the mother-daughter bonding, but she had to. "Serena," Rini began, "I have to go to the movies with Melanie and the Twins. I have to watch out for Melanie. I can't let her go to the movies alone with them. Something really bad could happen to her."
Serena looked down and dreaded the moment she would have to open the door for them. She would see India's and Darien's children face-to-face. Serena smiled and hid her sadness from Rini. "Why don't I help you get ready?" Serena asked.
"Sure!" Rini exclaimed. "I don't know what to wear."
Serena walked up the stairs with Rini. They walked to Rini's room. Rini went to her dresser and pulled out a pair of jean capri pants with a flower on the right leg. She took out a white shirt with a floral design to go with it.
"What do you think about this?" Rini asked Serena. "Mom bought it for me when we went shopping the day before yesterday."
"Mom took you shopping?" Serena asked jealously. She forgot about her and Rini being on good terms for the moment. "What about me?"
"What about you?" Rini asked sarcastically. "Anyway you were all sad and didn't come out of your room until today. It's not like we were going to pleasure you with buying anything for you. It's your fault, and yours alone, that you didn't get anything, Meatball Head."
"Why you little monster!" Serena screamed. "You know I was upset about Darien yesterday, and now you throw your outfit and my sadness in my face. I can't even believe you, Rini."
"So!" Rini screamed. "You know even if Darien wouldn't call you for a day, if you were together, you would be like that. Don't blame us because you couldn't face the truth, and stayed in your room moping."
"You little brat!" Serena shouted reaching out to catch Rini. Rini dodged her hand and ran out the room. Serena started to chase after her. "Just wait till I catch you."
* * * * * * * * * * * *
"Meilin are you ready?" Yukito asked through the door.
"No!" Meilin shouted. "I told you that I wouldn't be ready for about thirty minutes just a minute ago."
"I know that, but the movie starts in an hour and we still have to pick up Melanie and Rini."
"Well, we'll just go somewhere else, are to a later movie," Meilin replied. "Are you even ready while you are asking me?"
"Well," Yukito said. "Well, no."
"I knew it!" Meilin answered. "Just like always you ask if I am ready, and you rush me, but you are never ready. It is just like when we have balls at home. You spend hours complaining about me, or doing your hair, picking something to wear, or whatever else you do. Why don't you get ready?"
"I have already picked out what I am going to wear," Yukito said. "All I have to do is dress and do my hair."
"Dress," Meilin said with a laugh. "For one thing, you will spend twenty minutes dressing to make sure there is not a wrinkle, and to see if everything looks correct. Also, it will take you thirty minutes to an hour just to do your hair. Leave me alone and go get dressed."
"Fine!" Yukito screamed. "I will be ready in thirty minutes, but you have to, too. I am cutting my time short so so will you."
"Okay," Meilin said.
Yukito walked away and to his room. Meilin heard a knock on her door. India and Freya walked in.
"Are you sure you are strong enough to go to the movies?" India asked with a worried look on her face.
"Yes, Mother." Meilin said. "Could you help me pick something out to wear, please?"
"Sure," India said.
"I will go make sure Yukito is getting along," Freya said. "From the way you two keep arguing I am sure both of you will need help to be ready in thirty." Freya smiled and left the room.
India went to Meilin's closet and pulled out a dress. It looked almost like the one Serena and India wore in the Moon Kingdom, but it only came to the knees and the sleeves weren't as puffy.
"I really like this," India said. "Why don't you wear it?"
"Sure!" Meilin exclaimed. "You, well Mother, just bought that for me. We got it on our last shopping trip."
"You better hurry up. Yukito will be really mad if you make everyone late."
"It is okay. He always gets mad at me if we are late, even if it is his own fault. He always wants to look his best." Meilin went into the bathroom to get dressed.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
"Come back here you little brat!" Serena screamed at Rini.
"No," Rini replied. She ran down the stairs. Serena had not given up chasing her for twenty minutes. Rini guessed she was really mad. "Why don't you try and catch me?"
"Here I-" Serena was cut off by the doorbell. She and Rini stopped in their tracks.
Rini looked at her watch. "Oh no!" She exclaimed and ran up the stairs. "It's 6:58."
Serena watched Rini run up the stairs. Ding dong. Serena looked at the door and dreaded opening it. She looked back up at the stairs to see if Rini would come and open it. The doorbell continued to ring. Finally, Serena walked up to the door.
"Who is it?" She yelled through the door.
"It's Mel," the voice on the other side responded. "I've come to pick up Rini."
Serena opened the door. At first, the only person she saw was Melanie and was relieved.
Then, directly behind her, Serena saw the Twins. They looked like mini-replicas of India and Darien. Meilin wore a dress that looked about the same as the one Serena remembered wearing on the Moon. She wore plain white shoes with gold crescent moon buckles on them. Yukito wore slacks with a black shirt, and a sports jacket. Melanie just wore her usual purple dress with the little flower.
"Hello, Serena," Yukito said.
"Pleased to meet you, after all this time," Meilin said smiling.
"Hi," Serena greeted nervously. "Rini is upstairs getting ready. She'll be down in a moment."
Rini ran down the stairs almost tripping. "I'm sorry. I forgot about you guys coming."
"It's okay, Rini," Melanie said. "We haven't been out here for very long."
"I'll see you later," Rini said walking out the door.
"Okay," Serena said. Serena closed the door. Tears instantly started to fall from her eyes. She ran upstairs and into her room.
Rini finally looked at Meilin and Yukito. She instantly frowned when she saw Meilin. Meilin had her arm twined around Yukito's. Rini looked at Melanie. Melanie wore a look of disappointment on her face. Rini guessed Yukito and Meilin had been ignoring her. She looked at the Twins again.
"Don't you two think you're a little overdressed for the movies?" Rini asked sarcastically.
"No," Yukito replied. "I'm surprised you do not have anything better."
"Yes, you do look so cute." Meilin said sarcastically.
Rini started fuming. She started to respond when Melanie took hold of her arm. She gave Rini a look as if to say no. Rini looked at Melanie, and then at Meilin who wore a haughty smile.
"Let's just go," Rini huffed and started to walk off.
"Why don't we skip the movie?" Yukito asked.
"And do what?" Melanie asked in response.
"Well," Meilin said. "We can go dancing. There is this great jazz band playing in the park. We can teach you guys how to swing dance. It is really fun. Really, it is a hobby me and Yukito do all the time. We have done it every since we were little."
"You guys can really do that stuff!" Melanie asked amazed.
"Yeah," Yukito answered. "It is not really that hard. But, then again, you two are just beginners."
"Why not?" Melanie thought. "Come on, Rini. Let's go."
"Okay," Rini said. She didn't really want to go. She really wanted to go to the movies. Also, she thought it was one big setup like when they went to the park. She couldn't say anything against it because what difference would it really make-it was three against one.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Three huge, metal spheres came hurling toward Neo. She dodged the first one with practically no trouble at all-except on time. The second one hit her side and she fell to the floor with a scream. She looked to see the last one come firing towards her. "Venus Love Chain Encircle." The attack shattered the ball seconds before it hit Neo.
"What's wrong Neo?" Freya asked. "This isn't just a game, you're training here. Get with the program." Freya put her hands to her temples and started to concentrate. Three spears from against the wall rose up and pointed towards Neo. "Here comes the next round. You better dodge and attack or you will be seriously injured. Go!" The spears went flying across the room.
"Mars Fire Sniper." Neo burned the first spear into ashes.
"Jupiter Oak Evolution." The second spear broke into pieces and fell to the floor.
Neo ran to the third spear and caught it. She turned and went running towards Freya, seeing this as her only chance to get the upper hand. Freya raise her hand and Neo instantly stopped in her tracks, spear in hand.
"Good, Neo," Freya said. "I see you're trying to use my own attack against me, but you have forgotten what my powers are. I have telekinesis. Always remember what your enemy's abilities are before you attack. I have the power to control anything, including you." After she said that, she sent India flying across the room.
"I'm sorry, Freya." Neo apologize. "My mind is just filled with thoughts. I can't keep my head clear enough to fight."
"You should always go into battle with a clear mind. Cleanse your thoughts. Make your mind clear, and then attack. I'll stop using my powers. It's time for hand to hand battle." Freya release Neo and grabbed a spear from the wall. Neo de-transformed for combat.
Freya quickly charged at India. India jumped back from the sharp edge of the spear. She and Freya always used real weapons when training, it gave a more realistic feel to the battle, and at any point either one of them could be injured. India tripped Freya with the blunt end of her spear. She quickly pointed the sharp end of the spear at Freya's neck. "You've been defeated. Freya you know I'm much better at this than you. You're a lover not a fighter."
Freya kicked India in her stomach so that she would fall back. "No, I just represent love.
Your guard is down, so you'll be easily defeated." Freya charged at India again. She tried to hit India in her leg, but India saw through the attack and blocked it. Then, India returned the attack and rammed Freya in her side. Freya fell to the ground again from the heavy impact.
"My guard might be low, but you have none at all," India said. "You'd be lucky if you got a hit at all." India smiled. "So do you give or will I have to finish this?" Freya gave India her hand. India helped her get up off the floor.
"Thanks," Freya said. "I think that will be enough for today."
"Okay," India said. "I've got to go anyway. I'll be back later tonight." India started to walk out of the room. Then, she turned back. "After all these years, Freya, you still have the strength to train me. You are a great fighter; you could have been a Scout if you weren't a cat. How do you do it?"
"With great strength," Freya replied. "I've trained you every since you knew how to walk, and that was not easy. The Negaverse and evil forces in the world know who you are, and there have been more attempts on your life then you are aware of, and there always will be. You will always need someone to protect you, and I have done that, but now it seems that I won't be needed for much longer."
India looked into Freya's eyes. They seemed so sincere and loving. Finally, India thought, finally, I have found someone to call Mother every since Queen Serenity. "No, matter what, Freya, you will always be needed in my life, and in the Twins. I can see that you are loved a lot more than you know. You have always been like a mother to me. I want to thank you for everything you've done, Mother." India smiled and walked out the room.
Freya watched India. She felt tears run down her face. Those were the words Freya had waited to hear forever. Now she knew she was needed, now she knew she was loved, and now she truly knew that she had a daughter to call her own.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
"Wow!" Melanie exclaimed. "Look at them go. They can really dance."
Rini and Melanie watched Meilin and Yukito dance on the floor. All the jumps and stunts looked pretty scary, but really fun. They looked like they were really having fun. Rini wished she knew how to dance like that. She looked at Yukito, she thought he was really nice and if he wasn't who he was she would seriously consider liking him. Rini looked at Melanie, who stared at Yukito with starry eyes. Finally, the music slowed, and Yukito and Meilin came back to the table.
"You guys looked great out there!" Melanie complimented.
"Thank you," Meilin said. She sat down at the table.
"Would you like to dance, Melanie?" Yukito asked.
"Sure!" Melanie nearly yelled. "We'll be right back." She got up and went to the dance floor with Yukito.
"Have fun," Meilin shouted over the music.
Rini watched Mel and Yukito dance on the floor. She wished she was dancing, she didn't like being left with Meilin for any amount of time. "What are you up to?" Rini asked without any thought. She had suspected this was a setup from the beginning, but didn't want to show what she was thinking.
"What do you mean, what am I up to?" Meilin asked innocently.
"I mean, what are you and Yukito up to?" Rini asked. "We were supposed to go to the movies. There must be some other motive to coming here other than to dance."
Meilin and Yukito actually had just heard about the concert in the park. Minutes before they left, Nanashi called and told them about it. "Is that it?" Meilin asked as if she had just discovered something major. "You are just jealous that you do not have anyone to dance with. Look how happy silly, little Melanie is. You wouldn't want to ruin all that happiness because of some silly suspicion. Be the princess we all know you can be, and mind your own business."
"Well, you are my business," Rini said. "You attack me and do something to Mel and say that I'm not minding my own business. Who do you think you are?"
"I think I am Meilin Present, daughter of India Present and Darien Shields. I think I am better than you! I think you are nothing at all. And like I said before, I think you are a want to be."
"You want to know what I think, Meilin Present? I think you're just a brat. I think you're stuck up. If anyone is a want to be it's you."
Meilin was about to respond when a huge explosion came from the stage. Instruments and musicians went flying everywhere. Meilin looked around to see Sailor Dark Moon standing next to the stage. A dark, sinister look was on her face.
Rini took out her communicator and called the Scouts. "Everyone come to the park, immediately. There's major trouble."