Chapter 3
'Hope Floats'
"Finally" Darien and Serenity breathed out.
They had finally arrived at, "Minami Village".
It had been almost two weeks since they had helped Kitsu and his father out. And again they were once again at eachother's throats.
"See I told you we'd get there" Darien panted heavily. "Eventually".
"We would have gotten here 5 days ago. But somebody said we should take a short cut. Or should I say tiring cut" Serenity yelled impatiently.
"Hey it was a short cut, we didn't have to go around the mountain. If we had taken the main route," he said sitting down on the grass.
"You're right we didn't have to go around the mountain we climbed it!" Serenity screamed load enough to make all the birds within a mile radius, to fly away.
Their fight continued until after sunset.
They settled down and made camp, planning to head to the village tomorrow. Serenity was lounging in a tree, while Darien laid down at the base of the tree. A blazing fire was being their only source of warmth.
"Hey Serenity" Darien called.
"Hmmm" she answered.
"Why do you sleep in trees? I mean the ground isn't necessarily the best bed, but it's better than a tree branch".
"Yes well, one gets used to after awhile. And I sleep up here because up here I can smell everything, so in know what my surroundings are. I have far to many enemies to even take the risk of sleeping on the ground," she said tiredly.
"Oh" he said, before falling a sleep.
'So were really going after a demon lord. I wonder if it's Ratz? Bastard did always love to kill humans with loved ones. Or could it be? Oh well I wonder if he did this and then somehow planned on getting Darien to hire me' Serenity thought staring up at the gigantic moon accompanied by to many stars to count.
'I guess I shouldn't be surprised the demon lords are still looking for me. I mean after the stunt I pulled. Maybe father puts them up to it. Oh well' then she too drifted off into sleep.
Unbeknownst to Serenity, her thoughts were very accurate. Except for a few minor details.
"Heh. Well now milady Serenity you've certainly grew up" whispered a shadowed creature. Then he disappeared.
The next morning Serenity and Darien woke up at the crack of dawn. Wait let me reverse that; Serenity woke up at the crack of dawn. Darien was half-asleep.
And within an hour they were at the village's main entrance.
The town was bustling with activity; it seemed everyone was doing one thing or another all at the same time.
Tough no matter how busy they were they still stayed clear of Serenity, noting her demon aura. Which Serenity teased Darien about for his not noticing her aura before. Darien just blushed and gave up trying to defend himself.
"So where should we start, there are so many people here, I'm not sure who to ask" Darien said looking around them at all the people passing them.
"No wonder you hired an assassin. You obviously don't know anything," Serenity said. "Lets go check out the bars or other places like that. There's bound to be something there".
So they headed over too the nearest bar and started asking around, but nothing came up. They tried several other places in the village and still no leads. And it was know noon.
"Hey Serenity can we eat something? I'm starved and after lunch we can look around" he said rubbing his growling stomach.
"Why not?" she said angrily.
"Hey what's your problem? All I asked was if we could get a bite to eat," he nearly yelled.
"How is it that you can only think of food at a time like this? Were tracking down this person you want killed so badly, and all you can think of right now is food!" she yelled.
"Hey, your idea of checking in bars and places like that hasn't gotten us anywhere, so let's get something to eat and make a new plan"
"Darien, I'm tired of babysitting you! I can move much faster without you to look out for" she paused for a second. "I said that to you before and you said that you could take care of yourself, so do it. If you're hungry than go eat, however if I find a lead I'm taking it. I won't wait for you".
"Fine, I can take care of myself" he said walking away.
'Great I just let my paycheck walk away. Oh well either way he's going to need me, if the demon he want's dead is who I think he is he's going to need my help' she thought, before disappearing.
Meanwhile.................
'Damn her, who does she think she is! Just because she's a demon, she thinks she can order my around' Darien thought, while eating something at a local restaurant.
"Jey, did you hear about the demon that has been lurking around here for awhile now?" a man a nearby table whispered to his friend.
'Huh? A demon? I wonder if it's the one I'm looking for," he thought.
"Yeah, I heard Cole talking about him at the farm today, he said it had a scar on his face, and that he had some girl with him" the man named Jey said.
'It is him!" Darien thought.
He got up and headed towards their table.
"Excuse me, but do you know anything else about this demon? Like where he is or any other details?" he asked demandingly.
"No we heard he was near the outside of town on the West Side of town, but other than that we don't know a thing," the other man said surprised.
"Thank you" he said quickly, before rushing out.
"I wonder what he want's with that demon? Hey Ned, do you think we should stop him? I heard this demons bad news," Jey said.
"Nah, something tells me, we wouldn't be able to stop him. I saw something in his eyes, we wouldn't be able to stop him," he said.
Darien was racing like a mad man, through the streets of "Minami Village".
He had already run into six people, tripped over two cats, and ran into a store sign.
But he didn't stop he just kept running.
When he finally reached the West Side, he slowed down, and pulled out a very weird stick.
It was very detailed had had all these carvings on it. And this weird inscription was carved into it as well.
All of a sudden it started to pull him in a certain direction, he followed the pull till he reached a door of very broken up building.
After he opened the door and looked around for any signs, of security or something. He realized that the outside was just a cover-up.
For inside it was just the opposite of the household's exterior, everything was the best of the best.
He finally saw a staircase, and drawing his sword he slowly started climbing it.
After about three floors, and still nothing he began wondering, 'Why aren't there any guards? It's very odd that I haven't come across anybody yet'.
He was on the highest level, and there was only a door at the end of the small hallway, on this level.
But before he could turn the handle, the door opened.
And the person that opened the door was none other that the bastard he had been searching for.
"Well hello Darien, So nice to see you again" the demon snarled.
He had not changed since the last time he had seen this wretched beast. He still had long white hair tied in a ponytail that went mid way down his back, and bright, yellow, cat-like eyes. That made you shudder just looking at them.
"Are you here to free your sister?" he asked in his all too smooth voice.
Darien just scowled as a response.
"Well sorry to disappoint you, but I didn't bring her along with me this time" he said giving an all but friendly chuckle.
"I'll find her, after I kill you!" he yelled, charging at him with all his might, fury being the outlet of his strength.
The demon quickly dodged his attack, and slowly pulled out a sword of his own, and tried to attack Darien with it, but something, or should I say someone got in his way.
Serenity appeared out of nowhere and stopped his attack, with her sword.
"Sere.Serenity.How'd you get here?" he stuttered.
"Serenity still blocking the attack said, "I couldn't leave my paycheck to die, and besides I've been here for awhile. I told you I could move faster without you, once I sensed a demonic barrier shield over this building".
Serenity finally managed to knock him away.
"Also didn't you think it was odd that there were no guards here. I took care of them long before you got here".
"Well now Darien, it seems you've hired an assassin, but who'd ever guess it was the runaway princess" he laughed.
"Shut up Yoko" she yelled, while throwing a wind spell at him.
"Princess? What did he mean?" Darien asked.
"I'll explain later" she snarled, trying to get distracted.
Yoko was now very angry, the wind spell she had attacked him with had put cuts all along his bare arms, but even his clothed areas had small, but shallow wounds now.
"Serenity you know very well, I hate having scars and if these do I'll tear you limb from limb" he yelled throwing his sword down and lunging at her with his now much longer claws.
Serenity also dropped her sword, and now the two were currently engaged in all or nothing fight.
Small puddles of blood where scattered on the floor and walls.
Darien watched in amazement at the power that Serenity was using, he had no idea that she or any demon had that much power.
But he also saw something in Serenity's eyes that he had never seen before; he saw happiness in her eyes as she continued to fight with Yoko.
And the thing that bothered him the most about it was that he was actually scared of this new Serenity.
Serenity now had more control of the fight as she slashed right across his chest, causing a lot of blood to pour out.
He yelled in rage as he noticed how deep the wound was, and that it would leave a scar unlike the other ones.
Demon's bodies could heal faster but if the wound were deep enough it would scar.
"Damn you Serenity! I guess now I'll never be able to forget this day thanks to this scar, but the again there are days that have left some demons without scars on their bodies only over their hearts. Like that day when you're mother, right?" he laughed watching her face drain of its color.
Serenity was suddenly flooded with memories of the horrible day.
'Flashback'
It had been a beautiful day in the palace where she lived.
She was walking with one of the guards, whom she had loved like an older brother when she was a child, but now the feelings had grown stronger.
And eventually the realized they both felt the same way.
But later that night, demons trying to overthrow the demonic empire attacked the palace.
Serenity and the guard had rushed to the scene of the battle, and tried to defend the palace.
However during the fight they, along with many others had killed most of the demons attacking.
That's when their leader stepped in, and he and the guard whom she loved started fighting.
But during the battle between the two her beloved guard slipped on a rock allowing the enemy to take it's sword and pierce it right through his heart.
Serenity had kill off the demon she had been fighting just in time to see him fall.
She quickly rushed over to him.
"Kage! Kage! Answer me!" she yelled.
"Serenity let me go you have to defend the palace" he struggled to say.
"No I won't leave you, I'll go find a healer" she said.
"No it's my time" he whispered. "But Serenity I want you to know that I love you".
Serenity started to cry for the first time in her life and said, "I love you too"
And with that he went limp in her arms.
All these emotions ran through her body in that instant, sadness, grief, and rage.
Without a single thought she placed his body on the ground, and turned towards his killer.
She slowly stood up, and reached for her necklace that allowed her to stay in human form.
And then she yanked it off.
Very slowly she began to change into her true demonic form.
Everyone stopped their fighting to watch as she killed the leader of the rebellion, with only her hand.
Now with Kage's and his killer's blood on her she turned to look at everyone.
Still in a rage that clouded her vision and in a flash she started attacking everyone, no matter whom they were.
She only stopped when she heard her fathers voice yell, "Serenity what have you done!"
She reverted back to her human form and in her bloodstained arms as her now lifeless mother.
She dropped her mother and looked around there were dead bodies everywhere and the survivors were trying their best to hide themselves.
She then walked to where she had taken her necklace off and put it back on, then still in shock she left the palace grounds.
'End of Flashback'
"HaHaHa" Yoko laughed evilly.
"So you do remember that day, I was wondering if your subconscious had made you forget".
"I had" she answered, "Until you had brought it up".
Then she punched him so hard; her hand went right through his chest.
He coughed up blood, while Darien gasped in horror.
"You know it's a good thing I noticed you in the forest when I did, otherwise right now you're really would have killed me, but luckily I learned how to clone myself" he said as he disappeared into a pile of dust.
"You coward" she said under her breath.
She turned to face the now as pale as death Darien.
"I'm sorry you had to see that, but all the rage from that day came flowing back when he mentioned it" she said looking down.
Recovering himself, Darien slowly stood up, "You know I thought I had you figured out, but there you go taking me completely be surprise".
"I told you earlier that I wanted to see what kind of Demon you are, and I still want to find out, now lets get out of here" he said smiling.
"Sure" she answered.
'For a second I thought she sounded like she was afraid I leave her' he thought while they walked out of the building.
A little while later, they were once again leaving to go search for Yoko.
"So about that Princess thing?" he asked.
"You remember that" she said getting annoyed.
"Of course, now spill. What's that all about?" he asked joyfully.
"First tell me why you want Yoko dead" she said seriously.
"Yeah I guess you deserve to know now, huh," he said looking down.
"It happened six months ago, my little sister Kay, was kidnapped by the creature. When I went to go get her back I nearly got kill, and that's when I realized I would need some serious help, and that's how I later met you" he said.
"Sorry about you're sister, but we'll get her back.
"Now about the princess thing" he said
"Nevermind, forget it" she said, continuing to walk down the path.
"Oh come on, you promised" he said walking faster to catch up to her.
"I said no such thing"
"Yes you did"
And another famous Darien and Serenity argument started.
Hi hope you liked it. I thought I should get Serenity's past. Hope this chapter wasn't to bloody for you. Anyway please R & R. and I will try to get the next chapter out as quickly as possible. Bye bye
'Hope Floats'
"Finally" Darien and Serenity breathed out.
They had finally arrived at, "Minami Village".
It had been almost two weeks since they had helped Kitsu and his father out. And again they were once again at eachother's throats.
"See I told you we'd get there" Darien panted heavily. "Eventually".
"We would have gotten here 5 days ago. But somebody said we should take a short cut. Or should I say tiring cut" Serenity yelled impatiently.
"Hey it was a short cut, we didn't have to go around the mountain. If we had taken the main route," he said sitting down on the grass.
"You're right we didn't have to go around the mountain we climbed it!" Serenity screamed load enough to make all the birds within a mile radius, to fly away.
Their fight continued until after sunset.
They settled down and made camp, planning to head to the village tomorrow. Serenity was lounging in a tree, while Darien laid down at the base of the tree. A blazing fire was being their only source of warmth.
"Hey Serenity" Darien called.
"Hmmm" she answered.
"Why do you sleep in trees? I mean the ground isn't necessarily the best bed, but it's better than a tree branch".
"Yes well, one gets used to after awhile. And I sleep up here because up here I can smell everything, so in know what my surroundings are. I have far to many enemies to even take the risk of sleeping on the ground," she said tiredly.
"Oh" he said, before falling a sleep.
'So were really going after a demon lord. I wonder if it's Ratz? Bastard did always love to kill humans with loved ones. Or could it be? Oh well I wonder if he did this and then somehow planned on getting Darien to hire me' Serenity thought staring up at the gigantic moon accompanied by to many stars to count.
'I guess I shouldn't be surprised the demon lords are still looking for me. I mean after the stunt I pulled. Maybe father puts them up to it. Oh well' then she too drifted off into sleep.
Unbeknownst to Serenity, her thoughts were very accurate. Except for a few minor details.
"Heh. Well now milady Serenity you've certainly grew up" whispered a shadowed creature. Then he disappeared.
The next morning Serenity and Darien woke up at the crack of dawn. Wait let me reverse that; Serenity woke up at the crack of dawn. Darien was half-asleep.
And within an hour they were at the village's main entrance.
The town was bustling with activity; it seemed everyone was doing one thing or another all at the same time.
Tough no matter how busy they were they still stayed clear of Serenity, noting her demon aura. Which Serenity teased Darien about for his not noticing her aura before. Darien just blushed and gave up trying to defend himself.
"So where should we start, there are so many people here, I'm not sure who to ask" Darien said looking around them at all the people passing them.
"No wonder you hired an assassin. You obviously don't know anything," Serenity said. "Lets go check out the bars or other places like that. There's bound to be something there".
So they headed over too the nearest bar and started asking around, but nothing came up. They tried several other places in the village and still no leads. And it was know noon.
"Hey Serenity can we eat something? I'm starved and after lunch we can look around" he said rubbing his growling stomach.
"Why not?" she said angrily.
"Hey what's your problem? All I asked was if we could get a bite to eat," he nearly yelled.
"How is it that you can only think of food at a time like this? Were tracking down this person you want killed so badly, and all you can think of right now is food!" she yelled.
"Hey, your idea of checking in bars and places like that hasn't gotten us anywhere, so let's get something to eat and make a new plan"
"Darien, I'm tired of babysitting you! I can move much faster without you to look out for" she paused for a second. "I said that to you before and you said that you could take care of yourself, so do it. If you're hungry than go eat, however if I find a lead I'm taking it. I won't wait for you".
"Fine, I can take care of myself" he said walking away.
'Great I just let my paycheck walk away. Oh well either way he's going to need me, if the demon he want's dead is who I think he is he's going to need my help' she thought, before disappearing.
Meanwhile.................
'Damn her, who does she think she is! Just because she's a demon, she thinks she can order my around' Darien thought, while eating something at a local restaurant.
"Jey, did you hear about the demon that has been lurking around here for awhile now?" a man a nearby table whispered to his friend.
'Huh? A demon? I wonder if it's the one I'm looking for," he thought.
"Yeah, I heard Cole talking about him at the farm today, he said it had a scar on his face, and that he had some girl with him" the man named Jey said.
'It is him!" Darien thought.
He got up and headed towards their table.
"Excuse me, but do you know anything else about this demon? Like where he is or any other details?" he asked demandingly.
"No we heard he was near the outside of town on the West Side of town, but other than that we don't know a thing," the other man said surprised.
"Thank you" he said quickly, before rushing out.
"I wonder what he want's with that demon? Hey Ned, do you think we should stop him? I heard this demons bad news," Jey said.
"Nah, something tells me, we wouldn't be able to stop him. I saw something in his eyes, we wouldn't be able to stop him," he said.
Darien was racing like a mad man, through the streets of "Minami Village".
He had already run into six people, tripped over two cats, and ran into a store sign.
But he didn't stop he just kept running.
When he finally reached the West Side, he slowed down, and pulled out a very weird stick.
It was very detailed had had all these carvings on it. And this weird inscription was carved into it as well.
All of a sudden it started to pull him in a certain direction, he followed the pull till he reached a door of very broken up building.
After he opened the door and looked around for any signs, of security or something. He realized that the outside was just a cover-up.
For inside it was just the opposite of the household's exterior, everything was the best of the best.
He finally saw a staircase, and drawing his sword he slowly started climbing it.
After about three floors, and still nothing he began wondering, 'Why aren't there any guards? It's very odd that I haven't come across anybody yet'.
He was on the highest level, and there was only a door at the end of the small hallway, on this level.
But before he could turn the handle, the door opened.
And the person that opened the door was none other that the bastard he had been searching for.
"Well hello Darien, So nice to see you again" the demon snarled.
He had not changed since the last time he had seen this wretched beast. He still had long white hair tied in a ponytail that went mid way down his back, and bright, yellow, cat-like eyes. That made you shudder just looking at them.
"Are you here to free your sister?" he asked in his all too smooth voice.
Darien just scowled as a response.
"Well sorry to disappoint you, but I didn't bring her along with me this time" he said giving an all but friendly chuckle.
"I'll find her, after I kill you!" he yelled, charging at him with all his might, fury being the outlet of his strength.
The demon quickly dodged his attack, and slowly pulled out a sword of his own, and tried to attack Darien with it, but something, or should I say someone got in his way.
Serenity appeared out of nowhere and stopped his attack, with her sword.
"Sere.Serenity.How'd you get here?" he stuttered.
"Serenity still blocking the attack said, "I couldn't leave my paycheck to die, and besides I've been here for awhile. I told you I could move faster without you, once I sensed a demonic barrier shield over this building".
Serenity finally managed to knock him away.
"Also didn't you think it was odd that there were no guards here. I took care of them long before you got here".
"Well now Darien, it seems you've hired an assassin, but who'd ever guess it was the runaway princess" he laughed.
"Shut up Yoko" she yelled, while throwing a wind spell at him.
"Princess? What did he mean?" Darien asked.
"I'll explain later" she snarled, trying to get distracted.
Yoko was now very angry, the wind spell she had attacked him with had put cuts all along his bare arms, but even his clothed areas had small, but shallow wounds now.
"Serenity you know very well, I hate having scars and if these do I'll tear you limb from limb" he yelled throwing his sword down and lunging at her with his now much longer claws.
Serenity also dropped her sword, and now the two were currently engaged in all or nothing fight.
Small puddles of blood where scattered on the floor and walls.
Darien watched in amazement at the power that Serenity was using, he had no idea that she or any demon had that much power.
But he also saw something in Serenity's eyes that he had never seen before; he saw happiness in her eyes as she continued to fight with Yoko.
And the thing that bothered him the most about it was that he was actually scared of this new Serenity.
Serenity now had more control of the fight as she slashed right across his chest, causing a lot of blood to pour out.
He yelled in rage as he noticed how deep the wound was, and that it would leave a scar unlike the other ones.
Demon's bodies could heal faster but if the wound were deep enough it would scar.
"Damn you Serenity! I guess now I'll never be able to forget this day thanks to this scar, but the again there are days that have left some demons without scars on their bodies only over their hearts. Like that day when you're mother, right?" he laughed watching her face drain of its color.
Serenity was suddenly flooded with memories of the horrible day.
'Flashback'
It had been a beautiful day in the palace where she lived.
She was walking with one of the guards, whom she had loved like an older brother when she was a child, but now the feelings had grown stronger.
And eventually the realized they both felt the same way.
But later that night, demons trying to overthrow the demonic empire attacked the palace.
Serenity and the guard had rushed to the scene of the battle, and tried to defend the palace.
However during the fight they, along with many others had killed most of the demons attacking.
That's when their leader stepped in, and he and the guard whom she loved started fighting.
But during the battle between the two her beloved guard slipped on a rock allowing the enemy to take it's sword and pierce it right through his heart.
Serenity had kill off the demon she had been fighting just in time to see him fall.
She quickly rushed over to him.
"Kage! Kage! Answer me!" she yelled.
"Serenity let me go you have to defend the palace" he struggled to say.
"No I won't leave you, I'll go find a healer" she said.
"No it's my time" he whispered. "But Serenity I want you to know that I love you".
Serenity started to cry for the first time in her life and said, "I love you too"
And with that he went limp in her arms.
All these emotions ran through her body in that instant, sadness, grief, and rage.
Without a single thought she placed his body on the ground, and turned towards his killer.
She slowly stood up, and reached for her necklace that allowed her to stay in human form.
And then she yanked it off.
Very slowly she began to change into her true demonic form.
Everyone stopped their fighting to watch as she killed the leader of the rebellion, with only her hand.
Now with Kage's and his killer's blood on her she turned to look at everyone.
Still in a rage that clouded her vision and in a flash she started attacking everyone, no matter whom they were.
She only stopped when she heard her fathers voice yell, "Serenity what have you done!"
She reverted back to her human form and in her bloodstained arms as her now lifeless mother.
She dropped her mother and looked around there were dead bodies everywhere and the survivors were trying their best to hide themselves.
She then walked to where she had taken her necklace off and put it back on, then still in shock she left the palace grounds.
'End of Flashback'
"HaHaHa" Yoko laughed evilly.
"So you do remember that day, I was wondering if your subconscious had made you forget".
"I had" she answered, "Until you had brought it up".
Then she punched him so hard; her hand went right through his chest.
He coughed up blood, while Darien gasped in horror.
"You know it's a good thing I noticed you in the forest when I did, otherwise right now you're really would have killed me, but luckily I learned how to clone myself" he said as he disappeared into a pile of dust.
"You coward" she said under her breath.
She turned to face the now as pale as death Darien.
"I'm sorry you had to see that, but all the rage from that day came flowing back when he mentioned it" she said looking down.
Recovering himself, Darien slowly stood up, "You know I thought I had you figured out, but there you go taking me completely be surprise".
"I told you earlier that I wanted to see what kind of Demon you are, and I still want to find out, now lets get out of here" he said smiling.
"Sure" she answered.
'For a second I thought she sounded like she was afraid I leave her' he thought while they walked out of the building.
A little while later, they were once again leaving to go search for Yoko.
"So about that Princess thing?" he asked.
"You remember that" she said getting annoyed.
"Of course, now spill. What's that all about?" he asked joyfully.
"First tell me why you want Yoko dead" she said seriously.
"Yeah I guess you deserve to know now, huh," he said looking down.
"It happened six months ago, my little sister Kay, was kidnapped by the creature. When I went to go get her back I nearly got kill, and that's when I realized I would need some serious help, and that's how I later met you" he said.
"Sorry about you're sister, but we'll get her back.
"Now about the princess thing" he said
"Nevermind, forget it" she said, continuing to walk down the path.
"Oh come on, you promised" he said walking faster to catch up to her.
"I said no such thing"
"Yes you did"
And another famous Darien and Serenity argument started.
Hi hope you liked it. I thought I should get Serenity's past. Hope this chapter wasn't to bloody for you. Anyway please R & R. and I will try to get the next chapter out as quickly as possible. Bye bye