C H A P T E R 11: Tears of Joy
Written by: Yukinokawaiichan
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Shibaraku desu ne. Minnasan! I know, I know. You're probably wondering why it took me so long. Well, I had a vacation with my family. It was a memorable and relaxing vacation. Anyway, this is the second to the last chapter. Actually, this is the ending and the next chapter is the epilogue. Please enjoy reading and just in case you cry, please grab a tissue box beside you. Lastly, REVIEW!! By the way, Thank you for your reviews especially to those who really read my story even through thick and thin. My special thanks to Kalinda chan, Coey chan, Serenity Angel in Heaven, Moongirl 5657, Serena 79, Usagi Usako Chiba chan, Asuka 2004, Poison moon, Daisy 31, Nunnya Buiznes, Aquarius chan, Steel heart rose, Lady of Enchantment, Krystal-jade, Passion tep, Sailor of the sun, Silver wing phoenix, Lady Tristana rogue, snivelly 08, Serenyty chan, GoddessSerenity, Silver Mo, Crystal-glass-roses, Moon angel Princess Thank you!!! I love you all! For those of you who reads this for the first time. Please tell me what you think and stay tune for the next chapter which is the epilogue, I'm sure you'll like it. =) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"What do you think?" ,asked an unknown voice.
"I don't know. Do you think we're making the right decision?" another voice
asked worriedly.
"I can't believe we're doing this." The voice muttered.
"We need the money albeit this is not right."
"What are you boys talking about?" A feminine voice asked saucily.
The two men stood up immediately and straightened their back. The woman smiled
and patted their shoulders. "Can I trust the both of you?" she asked
seducingly.
The two men coughed.
"Yes! Of course!" The men said gruffly.
"Now this is what you need to do..." The woman began to instruct.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Danny gazed at his window and looked at the busy streets below. He clenched his
fist until his knuckles turned white. He gave a loud sigh and got something
from his pocket.
It was a withered brown-leathered box. He opened it and stared at a silver
ring. His mouth formed a tight line as he began to remember an unwanted memory.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Flashback...
It was his 14th birthday and there was a huge celebration for him. He checked
his appearance in the mirror and grinned. "Let's do it!" He said to his
reflection and went towards the ballroom where the feast was happening.
"Happy Birthday, Prince Danny!" Everyone cheered and raised their wineglasses
at him. He raised his own cup of juice towards the crowd and bowed graciously.
"Happy Birthday, brother." Darien greeted him. At that time, Danny still
thought that Darien was a year older than him.
"Thank you." Danny said cheerfully.
Danny ran towards his father and cheerfully said, "Father, father. Thank you
for this wonderful party."
The king winced and straightened his voice. "Actually, It was your mother who
arranged this celebration, Danny."
He hid his disappointed and smiled even wider. "Well, I know you'd still
arrange an celebration for me even without mommy."
The king looked at him and nodded. "Go on and play." He said suddenly and Danny
left with a heavy heart. His father didn't even bother to smile or greet him a
happy birthday.
"Father! Did you see that magician outside?" Danny heard Darien asked their
father. He quickly hid behind a huge bouquet of flowers so that he could listen
to their conversation.
Suddenly the King smiled brightly and replied cheerfully. "Oh yes I heard that
he is the best magician in Europe and that he is actually a devil."
"Oh Father, I want that magician on my birthday too!" Darien said excitedly.
The king patted Darien's head. "Of course, son. I would give you a party three
times as large as this on your birthday."
"Oh no...it would be unfair, Father." Darien said while shaking his head.
"Shh, it wouldn't. Danny would handle it like a man." The King said seriously
replacing his smiling face with a thoughtful one.
"I just want the magician, Father. Oh look! The magician has another trick, see
you later, Father." Darien said hurriedly and excitedly.
"Take care of yourself, son."
Danny wiped the tears in his eyes and sniffed. He knew that his father always
favored Darien but...this was so unfair. If he was the older child, would his
father favor him more?
He ran outside quickly to get away from everyone and went to his secret garden.
His mother brought him there when he was 10 and ever since, he stayed there
whenever he felt down.
"Please leave now, Jonathan." He heard his mother's voice.
"I can't, Emilya. Please...come back to me." The male voice begged desperately.
"The past is gone now, do you understand? I love the King and I don't love you
anymore. Please let me live peacefully." Emilya said.
"Why?...You told me that you would never stop loving me." The male voice sobbed
heart-brokenly. "What about my son?! I want to see him." The man demanded.
Danny hid behind the bushes and his eyes opened wide when he saw the man who
was talking to his mother. The man had shoulder length brown hair that was tied
in a low ponytail. His shoulders were broad and he was very tall. The man was a
handsome man.
"No! You can't see him. He doesn't know anything about you." Emilya cried.
"I want to see my son!" The man screamed. "I want to see, Danny! I see all his
pictures in the paper but I'm sick of looking at a stupid paper. I want to see
him live in the flesh."
"Please! Don't cause any more trouble. I already had enough of it." Emilya
began to cry. She placed her hands on the man's shoulders to prevent him from
entering the castle.
Danny stood up and head towards the couple. He stopped in front of his mother
and said coldly, "that's why Father hates me so much. I'm not his son, right? I
hate you!" He screamed.
He faced towards the man beside his mother and cried. "Father...please take me
away from here. I'm not wanted here but at least I know that you want me."
The man hugged him fiercely. "Son." He said gruffly liking the sound of his
fatherly voice. He looked at Emilya and her fatigue, sorrowful face.
"I can't..."
"What?"
"I'm sorry son but it is your mother who you should thank. Without her, you
could have been in the orphanage, right now."
Danny clenched his fist.
The man got a brown-leathered box from his pocket and gave it to Danny. Then he
leaned down and whispered in Danny's ear, "Son, take this ring and give it to
someone you love and make sure that she feels the same way as you feel for her
because I made that mistake and I don't want you to feel the loneliness and
regret that I'm feeling."
Danny looked at him and cried loudly. "Don't leave! Please don't leave!"
The man stood up and patted his head. "I'm sorry, son."
"No! Take me with you, please!" Danny cried.
"Goodbye, Emilya and Danny..." He said. and left him with his mother without a
second glance.
End of Flashback...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* ~*~
Danny stared at the ring for the last time before putting it back in his
pocket. He was going to give it to Serenity before but he knew that he would be
committing the same mistake as his father.
But it was useless. Even if he didn't gave the ring to Serenity, he was feeling
the loneliness and regret hugging him tightly in the chest.
He sighed and looked at Darien's picture in a picture frame in his study table.
This wasn't Darien's fault. All he did was live life. He didn't know that Danny
was older or only his half-brother.
He was not going to ruin his brother's life just because his life was. He stood
and fixed his collar. "Serenity!" He called.
A minute later, Serenity emerged from a door wearing a beautiful blue dress.
"Yes?" She asked softly.
Danny smiled and he felt sorry for her. "She must feel anxious and worried and
it's all my fault." He thought. "It's time to go to the castle." He announced
and went down the stairs.
Serenity nodded and followed him slowly.
Her knees were shaking just by the thought of meeting Darien's angry face. She
bit her trembling lips to control her teary eyes. She was still angry at him
but she missed him terribly and she didn't want this anymore. She wanted to be
in Darien's arms again...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Four days. Four days of waiting anxiously. Four sleepless nights and 96
agonizing hours. Darien paced around his room and once in a while, he would
look out his window anxious to find Danny and Serenity to come but...are they
even coming?...
He scratched his head angrily. Even if they would come, what would he do then?
Welcome them happily and say that everything is great. Crap!
He imagined Serenity's smile and punched a nearby wall. Is this what love can
do? Destroy innocent walls? If that's the case, love should not be prohibited
because it's bad for the wall's health.
He sat down in the floor and crossed his arms.
What is he going to do? That question has been bugging him day and night and
still he didn't have an answer to the simple question.
"Hmm...Serenity and Danny..." He whispered.
He closed his eyes and a sudden picture flashed in his mind. A picture of
Serenity holding Danny in her arms. He shook his head and punched the wall
again.
He stood up and called his mother who was having a vacation in New York.
"Hello?" His mother's voice asked.
"Mother. This is Darien."
"Oh Darien...how are you? How is Danny?"
Darien didn't answer for a while. "I...is it really true that you had an affair
with another man? Danny is my half-brother, is that right?"
His mother coughed violently.
"How...how come you know that?" She asked.
"It's a small world, mom. I only want details and answers." Darien said calmly.
"Well...it's true but I want to tell you how it really happened.
Darien stared at the black telephone and sighed. "Please do..."
"It was Danny's 14th birthday and his father, Jonathan came without invitation.
Danny was in the garden and he heard..."
Emilya told the whole story to Darien.
After the call, Darien wiped the sweat in his forehead. It must have been so
terrible for Danny...but he didn't have the right to be obsessed with Serenity
anymore. She was already married to him.
"A visitor has arrived." The butler announced.
Darien ran towards his window and looked at the sight below. Danny and Serenity
got out of the carriage then he placed his arm around her shoulders and said
something to her. Serenity smiled and glanced around the castle until her eyes
settled in his window...to him. She quickly turned away.
Darien's blood boiled. He could almost hear the kettle scream because the water
has already reached it's highest boiling point.
"What are they doing here?!" He asked angrily.
He stomped his ways towards the entrance door and faced Serenity and Darien.
"You are not welcome here and I am sick." He said coldly and went towards his
room again.
Serenity and Danny looked at each other and he squeezed her hand.
The butler sighed and said. "I'm sorry, the Prince has been in a very bad mood
lately. If you will follow me, I will take you to your room."
They followed the butler and Danny whispered in her ear. "Don't worry, cheer
up! Everything will be fine, eventually."
Serenity looked at him and nodded. Even if Danny told her that a million times,
she could never be convinced.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* ~*~
Danny knocked at his brother's room.
Silence
He knocked again. Once, twice, three times and four. "What do you want?" asked
a very annoyed voice. A voice that belong to his only brother or half- brother.
He opened the door and stared at Darien's cold face. "Please, don't look at me
like that, brother. It's not like I stole your wife." He joked.
Darien frowned and Danny realized that his joke wasn't particularly funny.
Danny sighed and sat down at one of the chairs.
"Really, even if I did stole your wife. It would be no fun because she's loyal
to you forever. You lucky man, it's not everyday that you fall in love with
someone and she feels the same way for you."
Darien looked at his brother and his hearts softened.
"Darien, I...have a confession to you." Danny said suddenly.
"What confession?" He asked.
"I'm just a half-bro..." Danny said but he was suddenly interrupted.
"I know all about that, Danny. Do you feel bad that you and your father have
the same fate when it comes to love?" He asked not knowing that he was hurting
Danny badly.
"No, I don't besides...he gave a ring and I didn't. Huge difference."
Darien shook his head.
"All right, Danny. What is this all about? I know that you and Serenity have an
affair, don't you?"
"I don't know why you have to be like this, Darien but you know how loyal
Serenity is to you. If she really liked me then she wouldn't have escaped the
castle and find you. She could have married me instead."
"Well, how do you explain the way you two seem to be so comfortable in each
other's presence. I know what I saw and I saw the two of you...you two seemed
to be very comfortable."
Danny clenched his fist. "You know I wish that Serenity and I are having an
affair but we don't and that is why I'm here right now. I want to stop this
stupid fight between the two of you. Open your eyes, brother! I know that deep
inside you, you believe that Serenity is innocent but you force yourself to
believe in what you see." Danny breathed for a while.
"But..."
"Listen to me." Danny persisted and continued. "I know you're a very sensible
person, brother but for once, please listen to what your heart is telling you.
You love her and she loves you. I'm not included in the story and if I am, then
I am... just the bad guy..."
"I don't know if I can trust you anymore, Danny." Darien said all of a sudden.
"How do I know that this is for real? How do I know that this is not one of
your tricks so that you can have Serenity for yourself and including the
crown?"
Danny sighed and slapped the table. He inhaled and exhaled trying to calm his
frustration. "This is for real and I'm not lying. I'm really sorry I'm the bad
guy, okay? but I have always been the unwanted ever since I was born."
"Slam!"
Danny looked up and stared at the door. Why won't Darien listen to him? He
thought that Darien would understand him but it was different now. He must have
hurt Darien real badly. How...how could he make his right again?
~*~*~*~~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Darien kicked a pebble in the road. Somehow, he knew that Danny was right
but...he just won't, can't listen. Is it his pride? or is it that he was
actually telling the truth and that he cannot trust Danny anymore.
He placed the hands on his pocket. The weather that night was cold. His mood
and the weather matched perfectly. This was his day. Crap again!
Suddenly two strong arms grabbed him. What the hell!
He turned his head and found two strong masculine guys holding each of his arm
tightly. "What do you want?" He asked weakly. He was too tired from emotional
fatigue, he couldn't fight.
The two men looked at each other and back to him.
"Someone wants to see you." The man said.
"Who?" Darien asked.
"Just come with us." The other man replied mysteriously. Darien shook his head
but the two men dragged him and he had no other choice but to follow them.
"Who would want to see me?" He asked his self.
Later, they arrived at a large house. A beautiful house. They entered the gate
and passed through a white fountain. The double door creaked as they went in
and a feminine odor emanated from the place.
"This odor is familiar." Darien thought suspiciously.
"Sit down." The man commanded.
Darien sat at the sofa near him and looked around the place.
"Is he here?" A very familiar womanly voice asked. Darien's eyes opened wide
and stared at the curvaceous figure climbing down the circular stairs.
It...it was Beryl wearing an orange colored mini-skirt and a see-through golden
short-sleeved blouse. He could see her breast...she was so indecent.
"Darien dear! I miss you, darling." Beryl laughed and sat at his knees. She
held his face and licked her lips. "I miss you sooo much!" She said sweetly.
Darien resisted the urge to hurl.
"You're heavy." He said coldly.
"Am I? Well that means you haven't work out lately, haven't you? You're too
worried about Danny and Serenity's affair?" She asked.
Darien gaze narrowed into her eyes. "How do you know that?"
Beryl smiled at him. "Umm...connections, I guess." She smirked and audaciously
kissed him on his lips. "Delicious..." She moaned. "Oh how much I miss doing
that."
Darien slapped her and pushed her away. "What do you want?!" He asked angrily.
"Why are you not rotting in prison?"
Beryl stood up and held her head up high. "That's because I'm a countess and I
have strong connections."
Darien stood up and began to leave.
"Tie him up!" Beryl shouted.
The two men grabbed Darien and began to tie him in a chair. Beryl smiled
menacingly and sat down in his lap again.
"Now we can talk more sensibly, right?" She asked.
Darien rolled his eyes.
"All I want is to end your sufferings, my love and the both of us will be
happy. You just have to drink this pill." Beryl said standing up and getting a
glass of water in the table and a piece of white pill beside it.
Darien shook his head.
"Do it or I'll shoot you!" Beryl threatened. She grabbed a gun from one of the
men and pointed it to his head. "Come on, be a good boy."
"No!" Serenity cried appearing all of a sudden together with Danny.
Danny ran towards Beryl and fought with her so that she won't be able to move
and use the gun.
"Let go of me, Danny!" Beryl screamed. "Robert! Help me!"
The man with the gun pointed his gun at Danny and Serenity jumped on him and
kicked his balls and sprinted towards Darien and began to untie him. "Darien,
Darien are you all right?" She asked worriedly.
Darien looked at Serenity and felt warmth in his body. "Yes, I am." He said and
then when he was untied, he punched the one of the men and grabbed his gun but
before he could get it, the other man already fired his gun at him.
"Bang!"
Serenity quickly covered him and was shot in the chest. She winced in pain and
let out a painful gasp then she fell in the floor. Darien growled in anger and
quickly got the gun and shot it to the man.
Darien quickly went to Serenity's side. "Serenity, please hang on. I'll get
help." He said gently.
She opened her eyes that showed pain but she smiled. "I...I'm glad that I was
able...to protect you this time. I...always...wanted to do that..." She said
softly. Her breath was decreasing and she slowly closed her.
Tears sprang in Darien's eyes. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry for everything. Please
hang on, Serenity!" He cried as he hug Serenity to give warmth to her cold
body.
Beryl laughed all of a sudden. A psychotic laugh.
"Hahahahahahahahahahahahaha! I couldn't kill Serenity but her husband could.
Now, I have nothing to worry anymore!" Beryl said crazily.
Darien clenched his fist and pointed it towards Beryl. "Go to hell, Beryl!" He
roared and then pulled the trigger.
Danny suddenly ran towards him and pushed him as far away as possible. There
was the sound of a gunshot and Darien turned his head to find Danny lying in
the floor while his right shoulder was bleeding fast.
Darien yelled in anger and shot the remaining man consecutively.
Beryl looked at him in fear. She knew that Darien would kill her next but she
didn't want to die yet. She quickly pointed her gun towards Darien.
"Bang!"
Beryl fell to the floor. Her eyes and mouth were closed. Darien looked at her
and turned his head. Danny held the gun in his hand while trying to stand up
despite the pain in his bleeding shoulder.
"Danny..." Darien was touched that Danny saved him. His half-brother who was
supposed to hate him for everything.
"Darien, don't give me that look." Danny growled softly, breathing hard.
"I...I'm sorry, brother." Darien said sincerely.
Danny nodded and smiled. "You don't need to. I'm the one who's supposed to say
sorry. I'm sorry. I think...you're still the best brother in the world."
"Bang!"
Darien turned his head and found Beryl smiling devilishly at him. "Bye bye."
She said sweetly.
He touched his head and felt something moist. He looked at his hand and found
blood...blood? He felt a sharp pain in his head and he collapsed in the floor.
"Bang!"
Beryl fell to the floor. Her eyes and mouth were wide open in shock. She was
not breathing anymore. She's dead for good.
Danny winced and threw the gun away and in another second, his eyes closed and
he fell into the darkness.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Serenity and Danny went inside his room. Serenity's shot did not hit her
internal organs and she was able to recover in a week. Danny too was quickly
healed. The two of them stared at the Prince.
Two months had passed by and Darien laid in his bed. Bandages were wrapped
around his head. He was breathing peacefully but he never waked up. The Doctor
said that it might be possible that he would never wake up or if he did, he
would probably have a permanent amnesia.
Serenity cried in Danny's shoulders.
"Why? It should have been me. I thought I saved him but I didn't!" Serenity
yelled in frustration and sorrow.
Danny patted her back. "I'll be right back." He said.
He went out the door and found Kate waiting for him. "How is he?" She asked.
Danny shook his head and tears went down his eyes. Kate hugged him as if he was
a little boy who lost his favorite toy.
"It will be all right, Danny." She said unsure if what she was saying was true.
Meanwhile, Serenity held Darien's hands tightly. "Darien, I...Please wake up.
Wake up! I...don't care if you'll never remember me. I just want you to wake
up. I just want to see your smiling face." She cried.
She stared at his peaceful face.
Ever since, she was healed. She kept on visiting Darien and she always talked to
him. When she heard that it might be possible that he would have permanent
amnesia. She refused to believe that information and when she talked to him.
She always talked about their time together.
"Please..." She sobbed. "We can...make new memories. We'll make a happier one!
No Beryl, no chaos!" She cried and laid her face in his hand.
She rubbed her face in his soft hand and she was somehow comforted just by
touching his hand. She imagined that he was well and he was stroking her cheek.
"Don't leave me. I love you...How could I ever live without you?...I love you.
I love you. I love you, Darien. Please...wake up."
Her tears fell into his hand and suddenly his fingers moved.
Her eyes opened up wide. "Darien! Darien!" She said happily. His eyes slowly
opened and he stared at her with a confused face.
Even though, Serenity was disappointed that Darien didn't remember her, she
tried to be happy because Darien was alive and she convinced herself that they
would make new wonderful memories together.
"Serenity..." He whispered.
Serenity gasped and she hugged Darien tightly. "Darien, Oh Darien! I'm so glad
you remember me...I don't care if you don't remember the rest. I'm so glad that
you remember me." She cried in joy.
"Serenity, Thank you." He said weakly.
She looked at him and asked, "Thank you? for what?"
Darien wiped the tears in her eyes and caressed her cheeks. "I heard your
voice...Serenity. I heard your sweet voice and I saw this white light. It was
so far away and I thought I could never reach it but...suddenly a thousand
butterflies suddenly engulfed me and they carried me towards the light, towards
your voice and then...I saw you." He said.
"I...I'm so glad." Serenity whispered and more tears sprang in her eyes. Tears
of Joy that shed all pain and was replaced by happiness.
The door opened and a bewildered Danny and a confused Katy went in. Danny's
eyes opened wide and he smiled for the first time in months. "Brother!" He
shouted. "You're alive!"
Darien laughed. "OF course I am. How about you?"
Danny laughed. "I think I resurrected." He grinned and sat down in Darien's
bed.
Darien looked at him and he squeezed his undamaged left shoulder. "Danny, I
forgive you. I was not able to say that but now I'm glad that I have the chance
to tell it to you." He said seriously.
Danny wiped the tears in his eyes. "Thank you, brother."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~I'll tell you again. This is not the ending yet. There is still an epilogue.=) Tell me what you think and ask me all the questions in your head and I'll put a special chapter to answer all of you. Domo Arigatou Gozaimashita! Thank you for all the support and don't forget to Review. I love you all. God Bless! Fanfiction rocks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Written by: Yukinokawaiichan
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Shibaraku desu ne. Minnasan! I know, I know. You're probably wondering why it took me so long. Well, I had a vacation with my family. It was a memorable and relaxing vacation. Anyway, this is the second to the last chapter. Actually, this is the ending and the next chapter is the epilogue. Please enjoy reading and just in case you cry, please grab a tissue box beside you. Lastly, REVIEW!! By the way, Thank you for your reviews especially to those who really read my story even through thick and thin. My special thanks to Kalinda chan, Coey chan, Serenity Angel in Heaven, Moongirl 5657, Serena 79, Usagi Usako Chiba chan, Asuka 2004, Poison moon, Daisy 31, Nunnya Buiznes, Aquarius chan, Steel heart rose, Lady of Enchantment, Krystal-jade, Passion tep, Sailor of the sun, Silver wing phoenix, Lady Tristana rogue, snivelly 08, Serenyty chan, GoddessSerenity, Silver Mo, Crystal-glass-roses, Moon angel Princess Thank you!!! I love you all! For those of you who reads this for the first time. Please tell me what you think and stay tune for the next chapter which is the epilogue, I'm sure you'll like it. =) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"What do you think?" ,asked an unknown voice.
"I don't know. Do you think we're making the right decision?" another voice
asked worriedly.
"I can't believe we're doing this." The voice muttered.
"We need the money albeit this is not right."
"What are you boys talking about?" A feminine voice asked saucily.
The two men stood up immediately and straightened their back. The woman smiled
and patted their shoulders. "Can I trust the both of you?" she asked
seducingly.
The two men coughed.
"Yes! Of course!" The men said gruffly.
"Now this is what you need to do..." The woman began to instruct.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Danny gazed at his window and looked at the busy streets below. He clenched his
fist until his knuckles turned white. He gave a loud sigh and got something
from his pocket.
It was a withered brown-leathered box. He opened it and stared at a silver
ring. His mouth formed a tight line as he began to remember an unwanted memory.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Flashback...
It was his 14th birthday and there was a huge celebration for him. He checked
his appearance in the mirror and grinned. "Let's do it!" He said to his
reflection and went towards the ballroom where the feast was happening.
"Happy Birthday, Prince Danny!" Everyone cheered and raised their wineglasses
at him. He raised his own cup of juice towards the crowd and bowed graciously.
"Happy Birthday, brother." Darien greeted him. At that time, Danny still
thought that Darien was a year older than him.
"Thank you." Danny said cheerfully.
Danny ran towards his father and cheerfully said, "Father, father. Thank you
for this wonderful party."
The king winced and straightened his voice. "Actually, It was your mother who
arranged this celebration, Danny."
He hid his disappointed and smiled even wider. "Well, I know you'd still
arrange an celebration for me even without mommy."
The king looked at him and nodded. "Go on and play." He said suddenly and Danny
left with a heavy heart. His father didn't even bother to smile or greet him a
happy birthday.
"Father! Did you see that magician outside?" Danny heard Darien asked their
father. He quickly hid behind a huge bouquet of flowers so that he could listen
to their conversation.
Suddenly the King smiled brightly and replied cheerfully. "Oh yes I heard that
he is the best magician in Europe and that he is actually a devil."
"Oh Father, I want that magician on my birthday too!" Darien said excitedly.
The king patted Darien's head. "Of course, son. I would give you a party three
times as large as this on your birthday."
"Oh no...it would be unfair, Father." Darien said while shaking his head.
"Shh, it wouldn't. Danny would handle it like a man." The King said seriously
replacing his smiling face with a thoughtful one.
"I just want the magician, Father. Oh look! The magician has another trick, see
you later, Father." Darien said hurriedly and excitedly.
"Take care of yourself, son."
Danny wiped the tears in his eyes and sniffed. He knew that his father always
favored Darien but...this was so unfair. If he was the older child, would his
father favor him more?
He ran outside quickly to get away from everyone and went to his secret garden.
His mother brought him there when he was 10 and ever since, he stayed there
whenever he felt down.
"Please leave now, Jonathan." He heard his mother's voice.
"I can't, Emilya. Please...come back to me." The male voice begged desperately.
"The past is gone now, do you understand? I love the King and I don't love you
anymore. Please let me live peacefully." Emilya said.
"Why?...You told me that you would never stop loving me." The male voice sobbed
heart-brokenly. "What about my son?! I want to see him." The man demanded.
Danny hid behind the bushes and his eyes opened wide when he saw the man who
was talking to his mother. The man had shoulder length brown hair that was tied
in a low ponytail. His shoulders were broad and he was very tall. The man was a
handsome man.
"No! You can't see him. He doesn't know anything about you." Emilya cried.
"I want to see my son!" The man screamed. "I want to see, Danny! I see all his
pictures in the paper but I'm sick of looking at a stupid paper. I want to see
him live in the flesh."
"Please! Don't cause any more trouble. I already had enough of it." Emilya
began to cry. She placed her hands on the man's shoulders to prevent him from
entering the castle.
Danny stood up and head towards the couple. He stopped in front of his mother
and said coldly, "that's why Father hates me so much. I'm not his son, right? I
hate you!" He screamed.
He faced towards the man beside his mother and cried. "Father...please take me
away from here. I'm not wanted here but at least I know that you want me."
The man hugged him fiercely. "Son." He said gruffly liking the sound of his
fatherly voice. He looked at Emilya and her fatigue, sorrowful face.
"I can't..."
"What?"
"I'm sorry son but it is your mother who you should thank. Without her, you
could have been in the orphanage, right now."
Danny clenched his fist.
The man got a brown-leathered box from his pocket and gave it to Danny. Then he
leaned down and whispered in Danny's ear, "Son, take this ring and give it to
someone you love and make sure that she feels the same way as you feel for her
because I made that mistake and I don't want you to feel the loneliness and
regret that I'm feeling."
Danny looked at him and cried loudly. "Don't leave! Please don't leave!"
The man stood up and patted his head. "I'm sorry, son."
"No! Take me with you, please!" Danny cried.
"Goodbye, Emilya and Danny..." He said. and left him with his mother without a
second glance.
End of Flashback...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* ~*~
Danny stared at the ring for the last time before putting it back in his
pocket. He was going to give it to Serenity before but he knew that he would be
committing the same mistake as his father.
But it was useless. Even if he didn't gave the ring to Serenity, he was feeling
the loneliness and regret hugging him tightly in the chest.
He sighed and looked at Darien's picture in a picture frame in his study table.
This wasn't Darien's fault. All he did was live life. He didn't know that Danny
was older or only his half-brother.
He was not going to ruin his brother's life just because his life was. He stood
and fixed his collar. "Serenity!" He called.
A minute later, Serenity emerged from a door wearing a beautiful blue dress.
"Yes?" She asked softly.
Danny smiled and he felt sorry for her. "She must feel anxious and worried and
it's all my fault." He thought. "It's time to go to the castle." He announced
and went down the stairs.
Serenity nodded and followed him slowly.
Her knees were shaking just by the thought of meeting Darien's angry face. She
bit her trembling lips to control her teary eyes. She was still angry at him
but she missed him terribly and she didn't want this anymore. She wanted to be
in Darien's arms again...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Four days. Four days of waiting anxiously. Four sleepless nights and 96
agonizing hours. Darien paced around his room and once in a while, he would
look out his window anxious to find Danny and Serenity to come but...are they
even coming?...
He scratched his head angrily. Even if they would come, what would he do then?
Welcome them happily and say that everything is great. Crap!
He imagined Serenity's smile and punched a nearby wall. Is this what love can
do? Destroy innocent walls? If that's the case, love should not be prohibited
because it's bad for the wall's health.
He sat down in the floor and crossed his arms.
What is he going to do? That question has been bugging him day and night and
still he didn't have an answer to the simple question.
"Hmm...Serenity and Danny..." He whispered.
He closed his eyes and a sudden picture flashed in his mind. A picture of
Serenity holding Danny in her arms. He shook his head and punched the wall
again.
He stood up and called his mother who was having a vacation in New York.
"Hello?" His mother's voice asked.
"Mother. This is Darien."
"Oh Darien...how are you? How is Danny?"
Darien didn't answer for a while. "I...is it really true that you had an affair
with another man? Danny is my half-brother, is that right?"
His mother coughed violently.
"How...how come you know that?" She asked.
"It's a small world, mom. I only want details and answers." Darien said calmly.
"Well...it's true but I want to tell you how it really happened.
Darien stared at the black telephone and sighed. "Please do..."
"It was Danny's 14th birthday and his father, Jonathan came without invitation.
Danny was in the garden and he heard..."
Emilya told the whole story to Darien.
After the call, Darien wiped the sweat in his forehead. It must have been so
terrible for Danny...but he didn't have the right to be obsessed with Serenity
anymore. She was already married to him.
"A visitor has arrived." The butler announced.
Darien ran towards his window and looked at the sight below. Danny and Serenity
got out of the carriage then he placed his arm around her shoulders and said
something to her. Serenity smiled and glanced around the castle until her eyes
settled in his window...to him. She quickly turned away.
Darien's blood boiled. He could almost hear the kettle scream because the water
has already reached it's highest boiling point.
"What are they doing here?!" He asked angrily.
He stomped his ways towards the entrance door and faced Serenity and Darien.
"You are not welcome here and I am sick." He said coldly and went towards his
room again.
Serenity and Danny looked at each other and he squeezed her hand.
The butler sighed and said. "I'm sorry, the Prince has been in a very bad mood
lately. If you will follow me, I will take you to your room."
They followed the butler and Danny whispered in her ear. "Don't worry, cheer
up! Everything will be fine, eventually."
Serenity looked at him and nodded. Even if Danny told her that a million times,
she could never be convinced.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* ~*~
Danny knocked at his brother's room.
Silence
He knocked again. Once, twice, three times and four. "What do you want?" asked
a very annoyed voice. A voice that belong to his only brother or half- brother.
He opened the door and stared at Darien's cold face. "Please, don't look at me
like that, brother. It's not like I stole your wife." He joked.
Darien frowned and Danny realized that his joke wasn't particularly funny.
Danny sighed and sat down at one of the chairs.
"Really, even if I did stole your wife. It would be no fun because she's loyal
to you forever. You lucky man, it's not everyday that you fall in love with
someone and she feels the same way for you."
Darien looked at his brother and his hearts softened.
"Darien, I...have a confession to you." Danny said suddenly.
"What confession?" He asked.
"I'm just a half-bro..." Danny said but he was suddenly interrupted.
"I know all about that, Danny. Do you feel bad that you and your father have
the same fate when it comes to love?" He asked not knowing that he was hurting
Danny badly.
"No, I don't besides...he gave a ring and I didn't. Huge difference."
Darien shook his head.
"All right, Danny. What is this all about? I know that you and Serenity have an
affair, don't you?"
"I don't know why you have to be like this, Darien but you know how loyal
Serenity is to you. If she really liked me then she wouldn't have escaped the
castle and find you. She could have married me instead."
"Well, how do you explain the way you two seem to be so comfortable in each
other's presence. I know what I saw and I saw the two of you...you two seemed
to be very comfortable."
Danny clenched his fist. "You know I wish that Serenity and I are having an
affair but we don't and that is why I'm here right now. I want to stop this
stupid fight between the two of you. Open your eyes, brother! I know that deep
inside you, you believe that Serenity is innocent but you force yourself to
believe in what you see." Danny breathed for a while.
"But..."
"Listen to me." Danny persisted and continued. "I know you're a very sensible
person, brother but for once, please listen to what your heart is telling you.
You love her and she loves you. I'm not included in the story and if I am, then
I am... just the bad guy..."
"I don't know if I can trust you anymore, Danny." Darien said all of a sudden.
"How do I know that this is for real? How do I know that this is not one of
your tricks so that you can have Serenity for yourself and including the
crown?"
Danny sighed and slapped the table. He inhaled and exhaled trying to calm his
frustration. "This is for real and I'm not lying. I'm really sorry I'm the bad
guy, okay? but I have always been the unwanted ever since I was born."
"Slam!"
Danny looked up and stared at the door. Why won't Darien listen to him? He
thought that Darien would understand him but it was different now. He must have
hurt Darien real badly. How...how could he make his right again?
~*~*~*~~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Darien kicked a pebble in the road. Somehow, he knew that Danny was right
but...he just won't, can't listen. Is it his pride? or is it that he was
actually telling the truth and that he cannot trust Danny anymore.
He placed the hands on his pocket. The weather that night was cold. His mood
and the weather matched perfectly. This was his day. Crap again!
Suddenly two strong arms grabbed him. What the hell!
He turned his head and found two strong masculine guys holding each of his arm
tightly. "What do you want?" He asked weakly. He was too tired from emotional
fatigue, he couldn't fight.
The two men looked at each other and back to him.
"Someone wants to see you." The man said.
"Who?" Darien asked.
"Just come with us." The other man replied mysteriously. Darien shook his head
but the two men dragged him and he had no other choice but to follow them.
"Who would want to see me?" He asked his self.
Later, they arrived at a large house. A beautiful house. They entered the gate
and passed through a white fountain. The double door creaked as they went in
and a feminine odor emanated from the place.
"This odor is familiar." Darien thought suspiciously.
"Sit down." The man commanded.
Darien sat at the sofa near him and looked around the place.
"Is he here?" A very familiar womanly voice asked. Darien's eyes opened wide
and stared at the curvaceous figure climbing down the circular stairs.
It...it was Beryl wearing an orange colored mini-skirt and a see-through golden
short-sleeved blouse. He could see her breast...she was so indecent.
"Darien dear! I miss you, darling." Beryl laughed and sat at his knees. She
held his face and licked her lips. "I miss you sooo much!" She said sweetly.
Darien resisted the urge to hurl.
"You're heavy." He said coldly.
"Am I? Well that means you haven't work out lately, haven't you? You're too
worried about Danny and Serenity's affair?" She asked.
Darien gaze narrowed into her eyes. "How do you know that?"
Beryl smiled at him. "Umm...connections, I guess." She smirked and audaciously
kissed him on his lips. "Delicious..." She moaned. "Oh how much I miss doing
that."
Darien slapped her and pushed her away. "What do you want?!" He asked angrily.
"Why are you not rotting in prison?"
Beryl stood up and held her head up high. "That's because I'm a countess and I
have strong connections."
Darien stood up and began to leave.
"Tie him up!" Beryl shouted.
The two men grabbed Darien and began to tie him in a chair. Beryl smiled
menacingly and sat down in his lap again.
"Now we can talk more sensibly, right?" She asked.
Darien rolled his eyes.
"All I want is to end your sufferings, my love and the both of us will be
happy. You just have to drink this pill." Beryl said standing up and getting a
glass of water in the table and a piece of white pill beside it.
Darien shook his head.
"Do it or I'll shoot you!" Beryl threatened. She grabbed a gun from one of the
men and pointed it to his head. "Come on, be a good boy."
"No!" Serenity cried appearing all of a sudden together with Danny.
Danny ran towards Beryl and fought with her so that she won't be able to move
and use the gun.
"Let go of me, Danny!" Beryl screamed. "Robert! Help me!"
The man with the gun pointed his gun at Danny and Serenity jumped on him and
kicked his balls and sprinted towards Darien and began to untie him. "Darien,
Darien are you all right?" She asked worriedly.
Darien looked at Serenity and felt warmth in his body. "Yes, I am." He said and
then when he was untied, he punched the one of the men and grabbed his gun but
before he could get it, the other man already fired his gun at him.
"Bang!"
Serenity quickly covered him and was shot in the chest. She winced in pain and
let out a painful gasp then she fell in the floor. Darien growled in anger and
quickly got the gun and shot it to the man.
Darien quickly went to Serenity's side. "Serenity, please hang on. I'll get
help." He said gently.
She opened her eyes that showed pain but she smiled. "I...I'm glad that I was
able...to protect you this time. I...always...wanted to do that..." She said
softly. Her breath was decreasing and she slowly closed her.
Tears sprang in Darien's eyes. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry for everything. Please
hang on, Serenity!" He cried as he hug Serenity to give warmth to her cold
body.
Beryl laughed all of a sudden. A psychotic laugh.
"Hahahahahahahahahahahahaha! I couldn't kill Serenity but her husband could.
Now, I have nothing to worry anymore!" Beryl said crazily.
Darien clenched his fist and pointed it towards Beryl. "Go to hell, Beryl!" He
roared and then pulled the trigger.
Danny suddenly ran towards him and pushed him as far away as possible. There
was the sound of a gunshot and Darien turned his head to find Danny lying in
the floor while his right shoulder was bleeding fast.
Darien yelled in anger and shot the remaining man consecutively.
Beryl looked at him in fear. She knew that Darien would kill her next but she
didn't want to die yet. She quickly pointed her gun towards Darien.
"Bang!"
Beryl fell to the floor. Her eyes and mouth were closed. Darien looked at her
and turned his head. Danny held the gun in his hand while trying to stand up
despite the pain in his bleeding shoulder.
"Danny..." Darien was touched that Danny saved him. His half-brother who was
supposed to hate him for everything.
"Darien, don't give me that look." Danny growled softly, breathing hard.
"I...I'm sorry, brother." Darien said sincerely.
Danny nodded and smiled. "You don't need to. I'm the one who's supposed to say
sorry. I'm sorry. I think...you're still the best brother in the world."
"Bang!"
Darien turned his head and found Beryl smiling devilishly at him. "Bye bye."
She said sweetly.
He touched his head and felt something moist. He looked at his hand and found
blood...blood? He felt a sharp pain in his head and he collapsed in the floor.
"Bang!"
Beryl fell to the floor. Her eyes and mouth were wide open in shock. She was
not breathing anymore. She's dead for good.
Danny winced and threw the gun away and in another second, his eyes closed and
he fell into the darkness.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Serenity and Danny went inside his room. Serenity's shot did not hit her
internal organs and she was able to recover in a week. Danny too was quickly
healed. The two of them stared at the Prince.
Two months had passed by and Darien laid in his bed. Bandages were wrapped
around his head. He was breathing peacefully but he never waked up. The Doctor
said that it might be possible that he would never wake up or if he did, he
would probably have a permanent amnesia.
Serenity cried in Danny's shoulders.
"Why? It should have been me. I thought I saved him but I didn't!" Serenity
yelled in frustration and sorrow.
Danny patted her back. "I'll be right back." He said.
He went out the door and found Kate waiting for him. "How is he?" She asked.
Danny shook his head and tears went down his eyes. Kate hugged him as if he was
a little boy who lost his favorite toy.
"It will be all right, Danny." She said unsure if what she was saying was true.
Meanwhile, Serenity held Darien's hands tightly. "Darien, I...Please wake up.
Wake up! I...don't care if you'll never remember me. I just want you to wake
up. I just want to see your smiling face." She cried.
She stared at his peaceful face.
Ever since, she was healed. She kept on visiting Darien and she always talked to
him. When she heard that it might be possible that he would have permanent
amnesia. She refused to believe that information and when she talked to him.
She always talked about their time together.
"Please..." She sobbed. "We can...make new memories. We'll make a happier one!
No Beryl, no chaos!" She cried and laid her face in his hand.
She rubbed her face in his soft hand and she was somehow comforted just by
touching his hand. She imagined that he was well and he was stroking her cheek.
"Don't leave me. I love you...How could I ever live without you?...I love you.
I love you. I love you, Darien. Please...wake up."
Her tears fell into his hand and suddenly his fingers moved.
Her eyes opened up wide. "Darien! Darien!" She said happily. His eyes slowly
opened and he stared at her with a confused face.
Even though, Serenity was disappointed that Darien didn't remember her, she
tried to be happy because Darien was alive and she convinced herself that they
would make new wonderful memories together.
"Serenity..." He whispered.
Serenity gasped and she hugged Darien tightly. "Darien, Oh Darien! I'm so glad
you remember me...I don't care if you don't remember the rest. I'm so glad that
you remember me." She cried in joy.
"Serenity, Thank you." He said weakly.
She looked at him and asked, "Thank you? for what?"
Darien wiped the tears in her eyes and caressed her cheeks. "I heard your
voice...Serenity. I heard your sweet voice and I saw this white light. It was
so far away and I thought I could never reach it but...suddenly a thousand
butterflies suddenly engulfed me and they carried me towards the light, towards
your voice and then...I saw you." He said.
"I...I'm so glad." Serenity whispered and more tears sprang in her eyes. Tears
of Joy that shed all pain and was replaced by happiness.
The door opened and a bewildered Danny and a confused Katy went in. Danny's
eyes opened wide and he smiled for the first time in months. "Brother!" He
shouted. "You're alive!"
Darien laughed. "OF course I am. How about you?"
Danny laughed. "I think I resurrected." He grinned and sat down in Darien's
bed.
Darien looked at him and he squeezed his undamaged left shoulder. "Danny, I
forgive you. I was not able to say that but now I'm glad that I have the chance
to tell it to you." He said seriously.
Danny wiped the tears in his eyes. "Thank you, brother."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~I'll tell you again. This is not the ending yet. There is still an epilogue.=) Tell me what you think and ask me all the questions in your head and I'll put a special chapter to answer all of you. Domo Arigatou Gozaimashita! Thank you for all the support and don't forget to Review. I love you all. God Bless! Fanfiction rocks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~