Yay! Another chapter! n_n Well, I have a new idea for a story, but don't worry I'm going to keep writing this story. Please review! It helps me get inspired! Hehe … enjoy!
Disclaimer: Whaddya think? I think I'd have a bigger house and working on a much better computer than this thing. This anime does not belong to me.
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Tokyo woke up to a bright morning and everything went on its noisy ways. Cars roared down the street and businessmen and women walked down the streets, trying to get to work. All though a normal day to millions, to ten certain people, this day was filled with apprehension and confusion. Heading towards the hotel of the four men, a figure stopped and leaned against the wall. Violet eyes gazed out from underneath a hood and watched the doorway, waiting for the ten special people.
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Darien sighed, looking at the silent form of Serena sitting in the passenger seat. Her eyes were focused on the sky and her arms wrapped around the sleeping cat on her lap. When he awoken that morning, the first he noticed were the small hands gripped in his own large ones. She had looked so peaceful, but the moment she opened her eyes, they emptied of any emotions, making an impassive violet. All morning, she hadn't said a word, just gotten ready to go to the hotel.
"You just passed the turn."
He snapped out of his thoughts and frowned as he realized that she was right. Turning his head to look at her once more, he smiled as he saw the amusement dancing in her eyes. "So, you don't talk to me all morning and when I make my first mistake, you point it out." Turning the wheel, he made a huge U-turn and turned onto the right street.
"I'm sorry, if I seemed rude. I just had a lot to think and I thought that you might understand me and leave me alone, which you did. Thank you."
He nodded his head in understanding and stopped the car in front of the hotel, looking at the large extravagant sign hanging on the front. Royal Hotel Palace. These guys knew how to pick hotels. This hotel was the most expensive and many who came here were the rich and famous. "Well, here we are." Darien heard Serena take a deep breath and almost jumped when a young boy came and knocked on the window.
Rolling down the window, he looked at the boy curiously. "Yes?"
"Um, sir? You have to leave the car in the parking lot."
"Oh, right … I'll just take my car and …"
The boy blushed at the man's naiveté and cleared his throat. "No, sir. You give me the keys and I return them. I give you a number and when you come back to get your car, I will bring the car and keys safely back to you."
Darien raised an eyebrow and eyes his precious car for just a second. He loved this car.
"You don't have to come if you don't want. I can just go up by myself."
Serena's soft voice drifted over his senses and he shook his head. "No, I'll come." Reluctantly, he stepped out of the car and watched as the boy helped Serena out. The girl headed first into the hotel and waited for him in the doorway. Darien turned towards the boy and gazed at the boy. "If this car is harmed, scratched, damaged, or ruined in anyway, I'll make you pay."
The boy smiled, giving Darien a card with a number printed on it and saluted. "Aye, aye! And I got to say, your girlfriend is hot!" With that the boy jumped into the car and drove off, leaving Darien stunned.
Shaking his head, he headed over towards Serena and gripped her by the elbow gently. "Oi."
"Is something wrong, Darien?"
"Eh, no. Let's go." Pressing the button to the elevator, they waited for the ride that would take them into the past and back.
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The eight people in the room waited, four girls on one side and four men on the other. The girls had arrived early and were forced to wait until Serena came. They looked tired and worn out, guilt shining in their eyes. Mina had come with a white cat in tow. Michael raised an eyebrow and wondered what Serena and Mina's obsession with cats with crescents on their foreheads were. Sere was still sleeping in her room, exhausted from the other night's ordeal. His hands clenched into fists and he remembered what Serena had gone through with her father. Why had the girl never told her? It might have made a difference. They might have never done what they had done on her.
Jed's eyes kept glancing back and forth from Sere's room. He wanted to be in there with her and comfort her, but there was not much he could except to allow her to sleep. He could feel a burning gaze on him and he turned his head slightly, his orbs landing on the black-haired girl. Her eyes were a dark brown color, almost purple and they were looking straight at him. He gave her a lop-sided grin, but stopped when she scowled heavily and flipped her black hair over her shoulder. Confused by her reaction, he sighed and his thoughts returned to those of his niece and sister. His sister … Serena. How much she must have gone through while he had been all those times and never once had she told him. Anger rose from his heart and into his throat, making it hard to breath. He turned his head and coughed, trying to get rid of the feeling.
Nephlite was nervous. Why? The tall, brunette had been sending daggers through her gaze towards him. Why? How the hell was he supposed to know? Averting his eyes away from her dangerous glare, his brown eyes wandered over the room, watching each of the ladies in the room. He had been surprised when they were the first one's to arrive. For some reason he thought it was going to be Serena. The girl that had been beaten because he had told her father that she wasn't going to marry him… his entire fault. Closing his eyes, Nephlite tried to calm his nerves down. It was starting to work. Now if only the damn girl would stop trying to kill him with her evil eye.
Zachary fidgeted, uncomfortable with the silence that reigned in the room. His green orbs landed across the room towards the petite girl sitting in the corner. Her eyes seemed troubled and her hands gripped a sheet of papers. Deciding to break the deafening silence, he cleared his throat. "Miss Anderson? What are those papers that you are holding?"
The girl's eyes shot up and her eyes widened considerably. "Well, um … it was just some research I was doing last night."
At that moment in time, Zachary realized that this particular girl was horrible at hiding things, probably horrible at lying too. "What kind of research?"
Ami straightened her back and frowned. "What does it matter to you, Mr. Silver?"
A smile grew across his face as he saw the emotions that spoke volumes in her lovely blue eyes. "Well, Miz Anderson." He stood up, smiling at the way he had drawled his name. Walking over to the girl, he leaned comfortably against the wall, trapping the girl. "Why would you bring your research here if it wasn't important?"
"Leave her alone, jerk." Lita tore her frown away from Nephlite and targeted it towards the slim man. She could see the man tense up and she curled her hands into fists, but was soon forgotten as a soft knock echoed through the room. All four men paled visibly and the tension in the room thickened. Michael was the one to get the door. His long strides took less than half a second to reach the door. Wiping his hand on his pant leg, he opened the door and smiled nervously as his gaze landed on the silver-haired girl. Without even a hello, the girl and her companion entered the room, walking towards the center. Her eyes swept the area, obviously looking for something.
"Sere's in her room, if you're wondering." He had stayed near the door, speaking towards their back.
"…Sere…" The word rolled off of her tongue as she played with the affectionate nickname. "That's what you call her. Why not call her Serenity?"
So, they were going to start this with small talk, were they? Michael's eyes drifted over towards his two friends and brother, signaling them to play with Serena's game. "She has trouble pronouncing Jed's name. You think she's going to be able to pronounce that name?"
"No one should grow up knowing two names. Too difficult … too confusing." Serena turned and laid her eyes on Michael, catching him off guard with the expressionless eyes.
"Speaking from personal experience are you?" Zachary's voice echoed through the room as he joined in on the conversation.
"Heh … always the psychiatrist. Tell me, Zack. Do you still analyze everything? Do you still analyze people's mind?" Her strange question rammed straight into his heart, making him wince.
"Must we begin with this small talk?" Nephlite was sitting on a couch, his posture stiff and uncomfortable.
Her eyes swiveled towards her direction, silver hair framing her face. In her arms lay the cat, still soundly asleep. "Ah, my fiancé. Never one to play around were you?" Bending down, she placed the cat on the floor and smiled gently as Artemis padded over to Luna, nudging her with his head. "She's all right, Artemis. Just resting." Then she stood back up and headed over towards the room where her daughter slept. She could feel the child's energy, her spirit.
"Where do you think you're going?" Jed stopped in front of Serena, blocking her from entering the room. "She's sleeping and I don't want her disturbed."
"She's my daughter, dear brother. Not yours." She glared into the blue eyes of Jed, wanting to slap him but refrained from doing so. "And for your information … I wasn't going to enter. Just put a shield over the door so she doesn't have to go through what she did last night." Without waiting for a reply, she pushed past Jed and placed her palm over the door, silver light emitted from it. It engulfed the door, lighting up the room with the unearthly light. Turning back around, she walked over towards the cat and targeted her palm once more to the creature, shooting out a silver light. It woke up, stirring.
"Now, let's get this over with." Her voice echoed through the room the mystical powers of Serena engulfed the people once more.
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The cloaked figure watched Serena and Darien enter the hotel. "Finally." It lifted its hand up and allowed the hood to fall back, revealing a woman with silver hair. A sad smile graced her stunning features as she watched the windows that reflected the silver light of Serena. "My daughter … its time to embrace your destiny." Then, looking up, Selene watched the four men on the roof of the hotel, frowning as they responded to the sudden burst of energy coming from the hotel. "Unfortunately, it is not your time, Generals." Her body phased away and appeared behind the four generals. She listened to them for just a moment.
"It's here!" Jadeite stood up and looked into the window where the energy was coming from.
"Let's go. We can't waste any time."
She frowned and raised her hand. "I'm afraid I can't allow you to do that." The four men turned around and their eyes widened as a silver light engulfed them. With the light disappeared, the four men were found unconscious on the floor.
Selene sighed and turned. "My work here is done. Be quick for I cannot protect you any longer … Princess Serenity. I can no longer hold my physical form … I can no longer be Queen Selenity." With that, she disappeared, leaving behind only a two silver trails of tears floating in the sky.
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Serena's concentration on her powers wavered for half a second as she thought she heard something.
"My daughter … its time to embrace your destiny."
Pushing aside the strange saying, she pushed her powers further, transferring her memories into the minds of the others.
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Serena gasped as she heard her brother arrive from the slamming door. Concentrating quickly on her powers, she managed to heal the bruises on her face and mend the broken rib. She didn't have the energy to heal her broken wrist, so she just used whatever energy she had to numb the pain for the time. She could hear his heavy steps on the stairs, but held herself from running out and grabbing him for dear life. Her father had threatened that he would kill Jed should she refuse to marry Nehplite. Would he really kill his own precious son? Thinking back to the determination in his eyes, she knew that he would.
"Serena?" He entered the room, curious at the silence that filled the room. Concern entered his voice as he saw her cuddled up on the bed, holding onto her wrist. "I'm home."
She looked up and forced her smile, summoning up all her acting abilities. "Well, if it isn't the spoiled brat. Alas, just when I was enjoying the peace and quiet."
He raised any eyebrow, frowning at the almost too cheery tone of her voice, but as his gaze landed upon the large smile on her face, his worries disappeared. "Oi, this is the thanks I get? I search half of my vacation searching for the perfect gift for my little sister and she calls me a spoiled brat."
"A gift? Feh. It's probably a stick of gum." She smiled mischievously, hiding her desire to call out for help and tell him everything.
"Au contraire, mademoiselle. I found a painting that suited you marvelously. It was drawn by the famous artist Lonnie Lanai you know." He clasped his hands behind his back and exited the room heading towards his room where the painting was kept. Amusement entered his eyes as he heard the hurried steps of Serena and winced as he heard the squeaky noises of her feet sliding against the wood floor.
"Where?! Where is it?!" Her eyes searched his room, looking for the painting. Her love for that particular artist's work surprised her to no ends.
"Ah, I'm not so sure I should give it to you. I mean it is a beautiful masterpiece, one of her best I believe. I'm tempted to keep it for myself. After all I got no hug and no hello from the sister I had not seen in two weeks." He laughed as the girl threw herself into his arms, practically choking him.
When she released him, she smiled. "Hello!"
Had he been in an anime, he would have sweat dropped. Chuckling, he walked over his large bed and pulled out something rather big from underneath it. Picking it up easily, he placed it against the wall and gently pulled the sheets away from it. A pleased smile crossed his face as heard a soft gasp from his little sister.
Serena's gasp had been soft due to the fact that her hands were covering her mouth. It was beyond beautiful. A glittering kingdom shone out from the canvas, capturing the light in the room. Two shadowed features held each other, one a woman and the other a man. Walking closer to the picture, she placed her fingers on the painting. She could practically feel the smooth white marble that built the kingdom, sense the peace that reigned over the fairy-tale land. Serena's finger traced the silhouette of the man, trying to picture him. Mid-night blue eyes. That was what he had. She was sure of it. Closing her eyes, Serena could feel herself in his protective arms, her heart beating in tune with his own. She was the princess and he was her prince.
Jed watched his sister lose herself in the painting. Her eyes fluttered close and a serene smile passed over her features. Her small hands seem to want to trace every detail, every brush-stroke. Getting worried with her silence, he placed a hand on her shoulder calling out her name softly. "Serena?"
No, she didn't want to leave. She wanted to stay in this man's arms forever. She fought against leaving, but was ripped away from him as someone called her name. "…No … Endymion."
He raised an eyebrow in shock as he heard the name. "How'd you know?"
Struggling against the sudden fatigue in her body, she blinked. "Know what?"
"That the man's name was Endymion."
"Uhh … I don't know it just came to me. Why?" She turned and faced her brother, tilting her head in confusion. "Wait … how would you know what his name was?"
"The painting is based off of an old legend. To make a long story short, they were star-crossed lovers. Tragic ending … blah, blah. Anyway, his name was Endymion and the girl's name is Serenity. The name reminded me of you." He shrugged, not really caring about the strange nature of what happened. Strange things always happened around her and he was not one to question that.
She yawned, blinking her eyes tiredly. Maybe she was not done resting from the ordeal with her father. "I'm tired. I'm going to take a nap. It's great having you home again, Jed." With a smile, she left the room feeling once more safe since he was home.
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Serena was in a dream. She was sure of it. There was no other way she could be in a beautiful rose garden and being held by a strange man. "I wish we didn't have to sneak around to meet." The words spilled out of her mouth as she snuggled against the man's body. She had no control over her words or her movement. They moved of their own accord. She heard him chuckle and place a chaste kiss on her neck.
"I'm sorry, my love. I grow tired of this too but our kingdoms are not ready to accept us." His face was hidden in the shadows and she fought to see his features.
"I wish they weren't so stubborn. I wish that we were peasants who could be together without worrying about war."
"Shh … we don't have much time before the moon rises and then you would not be able to go back home. Let's enjoy whatever time we have together." He bent his head down and placed a soft kiss on her lips, deepening it as time passed.
She sighed in bliss and accepted him into her arms. This was the night where they would be one not only in heart and soul … but also in body. She went willingly when he gently pushed her onto the soft earth, the aromas of the beautiful planet's flowers surrounding them.
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She fought to push past that memory. That dream was one she did not want to share. She had been thirteen when she had dreamed of him, her prince. Concentrating more on her powers, she managed to open up another memory… something just as personal.
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"Serena, what's wrong?" Michael stood at the door blinking at the obviously distraught girl in front of him. Opening the door wider he ushered the girl inside and took her to the living room. All she did was grip her skirt, looking down nervously. Grasping her by the shoulders, he forced her to look into his eyes. Tears threatened to overflow as she blinked. "Little one, tell me what's wrong."
"I … I can't!" She threw herself into his arms, holding onto him as tightly as she could. She could feel his strong arms wrap around her, trying to comfort her. "I don't understand what's going on. Oh, Jed's going to kill me. FATHER'S going to kill me. No one's going to understand. No one." Her sobs wracked through her fragile body making it feel like it was going to break into tiny pieces.
"You first have to tell me what's going on, Little one."
"I ca--"
"Yes, you can." He cut her off before she broke into another tirade.
"…"
"Serena you can always trust me. I'll always protect you."
His warm voice soothed over her confused state of mind. She knew, she always had, that he would protect her. Summoning her courage, she pulled out of his arms and leaned against the couch. "I don't even know who the father is."
Michael froze. She couldn't mean, … "What are you trying to say?" There was a strange roaring in his ears and his heart felt like a freight train was trying to pull through his chest.
Frightened by the strange tone in Michael's voice, she blinked and pulled further away from him. "I …I'm pregnant."
Pregnant. The word rang through his ears as he felt shock enter his system. "How?"
"That's what I'd like to know."
"What in the world? You can only get pregnant in one way, Serena." His voice had turned cold, horrified by the actions of this girl.
Her lilac eyes flashed as she stood up. "Forget it. I knew that no one would understand. No one! They'll just think I'm a whore! Just like my mother!" She stormed out of the living room, tears streaming down her face. What had she been thinking? She should have gone to Jed first. Just a few feet away from the door, she felt a strong hand grab her arm and twirl her around.
"What won't I understand? That you went out and got yourself pregnant and by what I've heard, you have been with several men seeing as how you don't even know who the father is." His angered blue eyes glared into her lilac ones. Why the hell was he so angry? He was jealous that's why but of course he was too stubborn to admit it to himself.
"I'm still a virgin, Malachite!" She screamed out his first name in anger, pulling herself away from him.
He stepped in surprise. "What?"
"I'm still a virgin! I have no idea how I got pregnant. God, I've never even gotten my first kiss!" She stepped back, breathing hard. How dare he think that she would just whore herself? "I'm not my mother!"
He brushed his hand through his long hair, blinking. Gazing into her eyes, he knew that she was telling the truth. How the hell does one get pregnant while still a virgin? Was she drugged and raped? "Come back into the living room, Serena. I'm sorry. I never should have assumed."
She blinked and said the first that came into mind. "Assuming makes an Ass out of U and ME." Letting Michael lead her into the living room once more, she remained silent.
"What are you going to tell your father and brother?"
"I don't know." She sighed and looked down, wringing her hands. What was she going to tell them? The family reputation would be ruined … they would be disgraced. Everybody would say that they were right all along and that she was just like her mother … in looks and actions. She'd never even met the damn woman and she managed to Serena's life since she was a child! Her stepmother despised her, but adored Jed. She would do anything to get Serena kicked out of the house.
"Tell them I'm the father."
"What?" She was ripped away from her train of thoughts as she heard the man's quiet suggestion.
"Tell everybody that I'm the father." He gave her a crooked smile, although inside he was wondering if he had lost his mind. He remembered a time when Zachary had said that he was in so much in love with Serena that he would anything for her. Michael guessed that his brother was right.
"I can't let you do that, Michael." She stood up, regretting coming here. The man was ready to give up his reputation to take care of her. She should have known.
"No, Serena do it. It would be better than telling everyone that you had no idea who the father was. If tell them that you're still a virgin, they'll think you're out of your mind. If you take this way, your reputation won't as tainted and it would make sense since we've known each other forever." He stood up, placing his hands on her shoulders. Then, he pulled her closer and lowered his lips to hers. Giving the girl her first kiss.
She stood, surprised. Hesitantly, she returned the kiss and soon felt his arms wrap around her waist. She knew then, that Michael would do anything to protect her. From that point on, her baby would be known as Michael's.
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The silver light died away and Serena collapsed to the floor, exhausted from the use of so much of her powers. The others in the room were silent, trying to catch their breath. Darien stood up and ran over to the unconscious body of the girl and picked her up.
"Is she all right?" Michael headed over there and placed a hand on her forehead. He could the heated gaze of the black-haired man on him, but he ignored it.
"She's going to be fine, but I don't think she'd want you touching her." Darien picked up Serena and stepped back. He hadn't liked the guy at all, but now? He downright hated him. He knew that he was jealous of the silver-haired man and didn't deny it.
"We'll have to wait until she's awoken to continue with the memories. We shouldn't discuss anything until she's awoken or she might get furious with us like last time." Nephlite stood up and left the room, heading onto the balcony. After a few minutes of considering her options, Lita stood up and followed him outside. As if from some form of habit, everybody else wandered away and split up, leaving Zachary and Ami alone.
Ami blinked, suddenly nervous by the way he was glancing at the paper she held in her hands. "Well, umm … Mr. Silver…"
"Call me Zachary. You make me sound like my brother over there." He grimaced and walked closer to the small girl. "Now why don't you show me those papers?"
Her eyes flashed and she ducked away from him, heading over towards the balcony. "Come any closer, Zachary and I'll scream. My other friends won't be so happy with you harassing me.
He sighed and shrugged his shoulders. "All right, Ami. I won't bother you. Happy?" He smiled mischievously as she nodded. "Now, do you want something to drink?"
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This chapter is long, so I split it up into a couple of chapters. I hope you enjoy this part and the question about Serena, Usagi, and Serena's mother will be explained in due time. Review please!!!!!!!!!!!!!