An Everly Tale
Chapter Twelve
By A Shot of Amber
I'm living in a hell hole of a dorm. My toilet in my apartment/dorm just overflowed again. I'm writing this while I wait for maintenance to come and fix and mop up the mess. I hate toilets! I want outhouses back! They may smell but they don't overflow! Anyway enough of my complaining, please be kind and read and review or send all comments, questions, suggestions, and flames to SaphriansWaterReflectionhotmail.com! Thank you!
An Everly Tale Chapter Twelve
Darien drove back through the rain storm to his home. He only once looked at the dashboard clock which read 9:00pm. It wasn't that late but it felt later, the rain clouds made everything look darker and bleaker. He didn't really care though, Serena's address was in his pocket and he only had to say goodbye and be off. He was headed for Japan but first he had to confront a few people and say goodbye.
Darien turned into the back entrance to the castle after being waved past some guards who tipped their hats and nodded to him. Darien drove under the portico and parked the car out of the rain, ready for him to leave again. He climbed out of the car and ran inside the same hallway that Serena had entered when she came to meet his mother. He walked past the quiet dark rooms and to the same room where Serena had met and been cut down by the queen. The door was pushed open and Darien entered slightly rain splattered and disheveled. The queen looked up from where she sat sipping sherry with Lady Jeanette and her mother.
"Endymion! Where have you been? We just finished dinner and you were no where to be found?"
Jeanette smiled and moved over on the love seat where she sat. " Please come and join us Darien," she looked him over, "or maybe you'll want to change first and then join us, it looks like you took a run in the rain."
Darien looked at Jeanette and smiled a knowing smile. "Actually I don't have time to sit and drink with you Lady Jeanette. I just came home to pack before I leave again."
"Where are you going Darien? I thought we were going to talk about the wedding plans?"
"Wedding plans?" Darien echoed then smiled again. "Lady Jeanette I have no idea what you are talking about. I have only one person I want to marry and she isn't you."
"Endymion!" The queen gasped.
"Mother you may as well hear this. I listen to you for everything but I'm not marrying this tramp. I found the womyn of my life and because of you and Jeanette I've lost her once but I'm going to get her back and that requires for me to get rid of some things." Darien looked at Jeanette who was staring at him in a shocked way. "When I met you I had no plans to marry you and I still don't. I was happy with Serena and I still am. You may have thought that some kiss on a ballroom floor would help but it didn't. It only disgusted me and I never want to see you again. You might be looking to become a queen but that's not ever going to happen. Mother," he turned to the queen, "I abdicate the throne. I don't want to be the king of this country when I can't be with the womyn I love." With that Darien turned and walked out of the room.
He ran upstairs to his room leaving the queen and Jeanette sitting in the room staring at the door in a shocked silence. Meanwhile above them Darien packed up a few things grabbed his wallet and left the room holding a suitcase in one hand with a determined look on his face. He ran down the stairs and headed out to his car passing the room where the queen and Jeanette still sat. The queen saw him pass by and stood up leaving Jeanette in mid-sentence. She ran out into the hallway just as Darien was reaching for the door knob.
"Endymion don't do this!"
Darien turned around and looked at his mother standing there in a black cocktail dress with some black netting in her hair.
"Mother don't try and stop me. I know that you hate Serena but nothing is going to stop me from getting her back."
"What is so wonderful about the girl? She's not royalty, you know that and you know that a person born to royalty is privileged. She is not privileged like we are and Jeanette is. She is just a commoner who will break your heart."
"She will never break my heart," Darien set down his suitcase and walked over to his mother and took a hold of her arms. "Mother you have to understand, I love her just like you loved father."
The queen didn't say anything but just looked away. Darien went on. " You did love him mother, I know you did! I remember the way you and he were when I was young. You were both really in love and it showed and that's how I feel about Serena."
The queen sighed. "When your father died I was devastated. He was the light of my life."
"So is Serena," Darien replied.
"I don't think I ever got over his death. He was such a kind and wonderful man, you remind me a lot of him."
"That's because I am his flesh and like him I love someone out of my reach."
The queen sighed again. "He was just a commoner when I married him but that didn't matter. He didn't want the power of being king, he just wanted my love."
"And that's what I want from Serena," Darien shook his mother slightly. "I just want her to love me and want to be with me. I don't care if I ever become king but I can't become king if I'm not happy with my queen." Darien let go of his mother and looked down at her. "You might want to tell Lady Jeanette to go back to England and find someone else. When I come back here I'm going to be married to the love of my life." With that Darien turned and walked back towards the door, he picked up his suitcase and opened the door letting himself out while the queen stood there watching him.
Serena woke up the next morning to hear people talking and a strange sucking noise. She was in her old room surrounded by toys and old comics she hadn't read in years. Her old blanket was still on the bed with its moons and bunnies, a play on her Japanese name. She climbed out of bed and walked out into the hallway to see her parents standing in the bathroom around the toilet.
"Mom, dad what's going on?" Serena asked walking over to them and peeking over her mothers shoulder to see her father using the plunger.
"The toilet backed up again," Ikuko replied while Serena looked down at the floor which was covered in water.
"This blasted thing must back up at least once a week," Kengi grumbled as he pulled the plunger out of the toilet and flushed it.
"Well it wouldn't back up if you would get the plumbing replaced," Ikuko sighed.
"You know the plumbing is fine. Just don't use to much toilet paper before you flush, it clogs the bowl," Kengi replied setting the plunger next to the toilet and placing his hands on his hips. "Go get the mop and we can clean this thing up."
"Yes dear," Ikuko replied moving past Serena to head down the stairs to the cleaning closet. "Usagi why don't you get dressed while we clean up. Shingo and Mia will be here soon for breakfast."
"Do you need any help?" Serena asked looking down the stairs at Ikuko.
"Can you actually cook now Usagi?" Kengi asked in shock.
"Dad," Serena sighed. "Of course I can! Remember? Mom taught me."
"Yea and I had to take the batteries out of the smoke alarm so it would stop going off every second."
"Kengi! That wasn't nice even if it is true. Usagi is a great cook now, she learned from the best," Ikuko cried. "Usagi you can make the toast, everything else is done."
Serena smiled down at her mother than turned and headed for her room. She had unpacked last night, shoving her clothes into old drawers and the closet which still had a vanilla scented sachet hanging from the bar. She now opened the closet, smelling the vanilla and pulled out a blue blouse and some blue jeans. She quickly got dressed and combed and styled her hair into its original style. A quick touch of lipstick, cherries in the snow, and she was ready. Serena left her room and headed down stairs to fix the toast and set the table while up stairs her mother and father moped up the water that was starting to leak into the hallway.
She was putting the toast into the toaster when the doorbell rang. She quickly pushed the button down then headed for the front door. The doorbell rang again just has she put her hand on the door knob to open it reveling Shingo and his wife Mia.
"Hey oneesan!" Shingo said stepping forward to give her a hug.
"Shingo are you always going to be taller than me?" Serena laughed as she hugged him back.
"Usagi you have to remember that when we were young you were taller then him," Mia replied.
"Those were the days," Serena nodded letting go of Shingo and reaching over to hug Mia.
"Yea when you were my weird older sister," Shingo started.
"And you were my annoying little brother," Serena finished and let go of Mia. "Come on in, mom and dad are cleaning up the bathroom while I finish breakfast."
"Let me guess, the toilet backed up again?" Shingo asked stepping inside and looking up the stairs.
"Yea, I woke up to dad fixing it."
"Then I think I'll stay downstairs so I don't have to help." Shingo replied heading for the kitchen.
"Shingo I know your down there! Come up here and help me so your mother can finish breakfast!" Kengi yelled from the bathroom.
"I knew I should have been quieter," Shingo sighed heading back for the stairs.
"Even if you hadn't said anything your dad would have heard you coming in and Serena talking to us. Go on up there and help him, Serena and I will finish breakfast," Mia said pushing him gently towards the stairs.
"What ever you say dear," Shingo replied blowing a kiss to Mia who smiled up at him then took Serena's arm and headed for the kitchen.
"What needs to be done?" Mia asked as they entered the kitchen.
"Well the toast is finished so if you want to butter it I can set the table," Serena replied pointing to the toaster.
"Alright," Mia nodded and began pulling the toast out of the toaster. "So how long are you planning on staying here?"
"At the least a few weeks. I'm actually thinking about moving back in with my parents and getting a job here in Tokyo."
"But you have such a great job in Basalt! I thought you were happy there?" Mia replied.
"It is a nice job but maybe I'm not ready for that much stress," Serena pulled some plates out of a cupboard and set them down on the counter. "I'm still young and living in a new country with a different language is really difficult especially when its English."
"Usagi you are great in English, you know the language inside and out." Mia set down her knife and turned around. "I think I know the real reason you don't want to go back. I know you don't want to hear about this but I read in the paper about your break up with the prince."
"It was in the paper here?"
"It was in the celebrity gossip section of the Tokyo Times. The paper said that you and Prince Endymion had broken up over the fact that he was to marry an English royal."
"Yea, he is. Her name is Jeanette and I hope they are very happy together." Serena picked up her plates and headed for the dining room while Mia followed her.
"How can you say that? Shingo told me that you and the prince were very happy together. I used to look at the papers with the two of you together and you looked so happy, a lot like Shingo and I."
"Mia," Serena set down the plates with a bang. "Darien and I are not Shingo and you. He used me when the whole time he was engaged to a beautiful English girl. I'm not going back there to see him marry someone he loves more than me."
"Your jealous," Mia replied as it dawned on her. "Your jealous that he used you when he was supposed to be marrying another womyn."
"Of course I'm jealous! I loved him, and I might still do," Serena pulled out a chair and sat down. "He was the first guy to pay me some attention. You know how it is, you had Shingo all through your school years from elementary school till you graduated high school. I wanted that, but only one guy paid me attention and that was Umino before he started dating Naru in eighth grade. Then I was alone again until this year when I met Darien and we clicked. He liked me and I liked him and before I knew it I was in love with him. I felt really happy for the first time in a long time. I had a great job, great friends, and a wonderful guy. Then I find out that he's a prince and I'm thrust into the national spotlight. That didn't stop me though; I still loved him and would have done anything for him, including meeting his mother, the queen."
"How did the meeting go?"
"Terrible, she basically ground me into the floor by telling me about Darien's engagement to Lady Jeanette. I didn't say anything to him because I thought it was all wrong but then at the ball he kissed her and I realized it was true. So I packed up and left and came home. I never want to go back their again. It's to painful."
"Oh Usagi," Mia reached over and took her hand. "I never knew how hurt you felt. Now I know why you're running away from your life back there."
"Wouldn't you?" Serena asked raising her head out of her hand.
"Yea probably. I don't think I could take it either, I mean if Shingo did that to me I would be devastated. I guess I can understand how you feel."
"Then you know why I never want to go back to Basalt."
Mia was about to say something when Ikuko entered the room. "Girls what are you doing? Usagi you still haven't even set the table!"
Serena let go of Mia's hand and stood up. "Sorry mom, I'll get to it now. Thanks Mia."
Mia stood up also and smiled. "No problem Usagi." She then turned and walked into the kitchen followed by Ikuko who gave Serena a questioning look before walking into the kitchen.
Serena sighed softly then began setting out the plates.
He could have taken his private plane to Japan but something told Darien to disregard it. Instead he drove to the airport at eleven o'clock at night and parked his car in the closets parking spot he could find. It was still raining as Darien grabbed his luggage and ran through the drops that pelted his leather coat. Inside the terminal he bought a ticket and waited for the next flight to Japan which took off at 1am.
For the next two hours he sat on a hard plastic chair, occasionally dozing off but mostly thinking of Serena until it was time for his flight to leave. Once on the plane which was less than full, Darien choose a window seat and settled himself in for a long flight. He pulled on the headphones offering music and turned the channel to a classical music channel and closed his eyes. Maybe he slept or maybe he didn't but he dreamt about Serena standing in front of him with her back to him. Than she turned around and she was wearing the dress from the ball but as she smiled at him with happiness in her eyes she disappeared and he was left alone. After that Darien pulled off the headphones and stayed awake throughout the rest of the flight. He was awake to see the sun rise in the east while the moved closer to Japan.
It was almost noon when he walked through the tunnel into Tokyo's International airport. All around him people were speaking in a language that he had no idea of. He had majored in French, Spanish and Italian but not in Japanese which he realized would make this trip very hard for him, harder then it already was. This didn't stop Darien from walking out of the terminal into the sunlight city. He hailed a cab and somehow made it understood that he wanted a hotel. The cab driver dropped him off at a nice looking building in the heart of the city and only grumbled a little bit when Darien paid him in Euros.
Inside the building the hotel clerk who spoke English helped him get a room where he set down his luggage and fell into the bed, falling asleep almost immediately. Nine hours later when he woke up it was almost dark outside with the last of the sun's rays breaking through the buildings. Darien took a shower and changed into a crisp white shirt and a pair of blue jeans. His other clothes were folded and placed back in his suitcase which was left on the bed, he would come back later for it.
Now he left the hotel and walked through the city headed for the florist shop the hotel clerk had told him about. He picked out a dozen red roses wrapped in green plastic and paid for them with his newly converted Japanese currency. He also stopped at another store before he hailed a cab and handed the driver the paper with the address written in Kanji by the hotel clerk. The driver got it immediately and began driving out of the city into the suburbs. Soon they arrived in front of a nice looking house with a balcony in the front. Darien looked up at the house for the first time seeing Serena's girlhood home. This was where she had grown up...
"Kinkei-san," the taxi driver said turning around in his seat.
"Oh yes just a moment please." Darien counted out some money and handed it to the driver and climbed out of the cab.
As the driver drove off he stood there looking up at the house deciding how he would pull this off when all of a sudden the lights in the room by the balcony turned on. Darien stepping into the shadows created by the fence boarding the property just as the sliding door opened and someone stepped out.
Serena wrapped her shawl around her shoulders and stepped out onto the cool pavement. It was still early in spring making the air outside slightly cool. She had pulled on her pajamas preparing to go to bed but something made her want a breath of fresh air. So she had put on her shawl and walking out to the balcony. Now outside she took a few deep breaths feeling the fresh air in her lungs.
Down below Darien watched has she walked over to the railing and rested her arms on it. This was the perfect time. He pulled out the boom box he was holding and set it down on the ground. Darien reached down and pressed the on button allowing the first strands of "My Confession" to fill the air.
Above him on the balcony Serena straightened up and looked around her. She knew this song! She had just bought the CD a few weeks ago and fell in love with it, especially this song. Serena looked below her to the ground where the music was coming from the darkness when all of a sudden a figure stepped out of the shadows holding something in its hand. As the figure stepped into the light Serena gasped and let go of the railing to take a step back.
Below her Darien held out the roses and put his hand on his heart and fell to his knees.
"Now I feel myself surrender each time I see your face.
I am captured by your beauty and your all awe-aspiring grace.
And I feel my heart is falling into place.
I can't hide now hear my confession."
Serena put her hand over her mouth as Darien sang along with the lyrics. When she had bought the CD right before she and Darien broke up she had mentioned that she loved this song. She had said she wanted it to be a theme of her life. Darien had laughed and said she was only looking at the romantic-ness in her life. Now he was below her singing this song, a song she had thought he forgot about.
"My princess! Say you'll come down to me or else I shall climb up to you!" Darien stood up and held out both arms wide while she looked down at him.
Above him Serena moved her hand away from her mouth and looked down at him. He was standing there; both arms open wide while the song played on. She didn't have to think; instead Serena turned around and ran back into the house. Meanwhile Darien stood still as she ran down the stairs and out the front door which had just been opened by her mother and father who were wondering why this song was being played in front of their house. Serena ran up to him and stopped, her shawl had fallen to the crook of her arms but she didn't notice. Everything inside her was focused on him.
"What are you doing here?"
Darien lowered his arms and looked down into her eyes.
"I came for you. Basalt is a lonely country without you to bring the sunshine in it."
"But you have Jeanette..." Serena began but trailed off.
"And I don't want her. Why would I want second best when I can have the best." Darien lowered himself to on knee. "Please come back to me Serena "Usagi" Tuskino and say you'll never leave me again. I could not stand to ever loose you again."
Serena looked down at him on his knee looking up at her. Behind her, her mother and father had stepped out onto to the porch and were watching them. Kengi had placed his arm around Ikuko who was clutching her hands to her chest.
"Darien I..." Serena began then stopped and looked behind her to her parents. Ikuko smiled at her while Kengi nodded his head. Serena turned back to Darien and looked at him from where he was still kneeling. Slowly Serena smiled and lifted Darien up to his feet. "Your highness, I accept your proposal," she replied softly.
Darien didn't say anything for a moment but just looked at her with her hands on his arms then suddenly he let out a whoop of joy and crushed her into a hug. Behind them Ikuko sighed in relief and wiped her eyes while Kengi squeezed her shoulders gently. Darien let go of Serena and held out the roses for her which she took and laughed softly.
"Was this your plan to win with me with roses?"
"And music," Darien replied. "If you hadn't come out in the beginning I would have stayed out here all night until you came back to me."
"And what about Jeanette?" Serena asked quietly.
"You were right, she's trash. I should have known since the beginning that I could only love one womyn."
"And that womyn is not Jeanette?"
"No," Darien shook his head and took a hold of her arms. "I knew deep down that you were the one since that day at the restaurant when you forgot your wallet. I just didn't want to listen to my heart for fear of being hurt."
"I could never hurt you Darien," Serena whispered softly.
"And I'll never hurt you again Serena," Darien whispered back.
Serena smiled and reached up on tiptoes to kiss him. He pulled her into his arms as their lips met. The kiss was sweet and gentle, a fusing of two souls joining as one. And meanwhile Kengi and Ikuko walked into the house while Serena stood with her man outside in the night air, her shawl falling to the ground.
The song I used is called "My Confession" by Josh Groban on his album Closer. I thought it fit the mood of the story and Darien's confession to Serena. In the mean time the last chapter will be out next week. Please remember to read and review or send all comments, questions, flames, and suggestions to SaphriansWaterReflectionhotmail.com. Thank you!
I'm living in a hell hole of a dorm. My toilet in my apartment/dorm just overflowed again. I'm writing this while I wait for maintenance to come and fix and mop up the mess. I hate toilets! I want outhouses back! They may smell but they don't overflow! Anyway enough of my complaining, please be kind and read and review or send all comments, questions, suggestions, and flames to SaphriansWaterReflectionhotmail.com! Thank you!
An Everly Tale Chapter Twelve
Darien drove back through the rain storm to his home. He only once looked at the dashboard clock which read 9:00pm. It wasn't that late but it felt later, the rain clouds made everything look darker and bleaker. He didn't really care though, Serena's address was in his pocket and he only had to say goodbye and be off. He was headed for Japan but first he had to confront a few people and say goodbye.
Darien turned into the back entrance to the castle after being waved past some guards who tipped their hats and nodded to him. Darien drove under the portico and parked the car out of the rain, ready for him to leave again. He climbed out of the car and ran inside the same hallway that Serena had entered when she came to meet his mother. He walked past the quiet dark rooms and to the same room where Serena had met and been cut down by the queen. The door was pushed open and Darien entered slightly rain splattered and disheveled. The queen looked up from where she sat sipping sherry with Lady Jeanette and her mother.
"Endymion! Where have you been? We just finished dinner and you were no where to be found?"
Jeanette smiled and moved over on the love seat where she sat. " Please come and join us Darien," she looked him over, "or maybe you'll want to change first and then join us, it looks like you took a run in the rain."
Darien looked at Jeanette and smiled a knowing smile. "Actually I don't have time to sit and drink with you Lady Jeanette. I just came home to pack before I leave again."
"Where are you going Darien? I thought we were going to talk about the wedding plans?"
"Wedding plans?" Darien echoed then smiled again. "Lady Jeanette I have no idea what you are talking about. I have only one person I want to marry and she isn't you."
"Endymion!" The queen gasped.
"Mother you may as well hear this. I listen to you for everything but I'm not marrying this tramp. I found the womyn of my life and because of you and Jeanette I've lost her once but I'm going to get her back and that requires for me to get rid of some things." Darien looked at Jeanette who was staring at him in a shocked way. "When I met you I had no plans to marry you and I still don't. I was happy with Serena and I still am. You may have thought that some kiss on a ballroom floor would help but it didn't. It only disgusted me and I never want to see you again. You might be looking to become a queen but that's not ever going to happen. Mother," he turned to the queen, "I abdicate the throne. I don't want to be the king of this country when I can't be with the womyn I love." With that Darien turned and walked out of the room.
He ran upstairs to his room leaving the queen and Jeanette sitting in the room staring at the door in a shocked silence. Meanwhile above them Darien packed up a few things grabbed his wallet and left the room holding a suitcase in one hand with a determined look on his face. He ran down the stairs and headed out to his car passing the room where the queen and Jeanette still sat. The queen saw him pass by and stood up leaving Jeanette in mid-sentence. She ran out into the hallway just as Darien was reaching for the door knob.
"Endymion don't do this!"
Darien turned around and looked at his mother standing there in a black cocktail dress with some black netting in her hair.
"Mother don't try and stop me. I know that you hate Serena but nothing is going to stop me from getting her back."
"What is so wonderful about the girl? She's not royalty, you know that and you know that a person born to royalty is privileged. She is not privileged like we are and Jeanette is. She is just a commoner who will break your heart."
"She will never break my heart," Darien set down his suitcase and walked over to his mother and took a hold of her arms. "Mother you have to understand, I love her just like you loved father."
The queen didn't say anything but just looked away. Darien went on. " You did love him mother, I know you did! I remember the way you and he were when I was young. You were both really in love and it showed and that's how I feel about Serena."
The queen sighed. "When your father died I was devastated. He was the light of my life."
"So is Serena," Darien replied.
"I don't think I ever got over his death. He was such a kind and wonderful man, you remind me a lot of him."
"That's because I am his flesh and like him I love someone out of my reach."
The queen sighed again. "He was just a commoner when I married him but that didn't matter. He didn't want the power of being king, he just wanted my love."
"And that's what I want from Serena," Darien shook his mother slightly. "I just want her to love me and want to be with me. I don't care if I ever become king but I can't become king if I'm not happy with my queen." Darien let go of his mother and looked down at her. "You might want to tell Lady Jeanette to go back to England and find someone else. When I come back here I'm going to be married to the love of my life." With that Darien turned and walked back towards the door, he picked up his suitcase and opened the door letting himself out while the queen stood there watching him.
Serena woke up the next morning to hear people talking and a strange sucking noise. She was in her old room surrounded by toys and old comics she hadn't read in years. Her old blanket was still on the bed with its moons and bunnies, a play on her Japanese name. She climbed out of bed and walked out into the hallway to see her parents standing in the bathroom around the toilet.
"Mom, dad what's going on?" Serena asked walking over to them and peeking over her mothers shoulder to see her father using the plunger.
"The toilet backed up again," Ikuko replied while Serena looked down at the floor which was covered in water.
"This blasted thing must back up at least once a week," Kengi grumbled as he pulled the plunger out of the toilet and flushed it.
"Well it wouldn't back up if you would get the plumbing replaced," Ikuko sighed.
"You know the plumbing is fine. Just don't use to much toilet paper before you flush, it clogs the bowl," Kengi replied setting the plunger next to the toilet and placing his hands on his hips. "Go get the mop and we can clean this thing up."
"Yes dear," Ikuko replied moving past Serena to head down the stairs to the cleaning closet. "Usagi why don't you get dressed while we clean up. Shingo and Mia will be here soon for breakfast."
"Do you need any help?" Serena asked looking down the stairs at Ikuko.
"Can you actually cook now Usagi?" Kengi asked in shock.
"Dad," Serena sighed. "Of course I can! Remember? Mom taught me."
"Yea and I had to take the batteries out of the smoke alarm so it would stop going off every second."
"Kengi! That wasn't nice even if it is true. Usagi is a great cook now, she learned from the best," Ikuko cried. "Usagi you can make the toast, everything else is done."
Serena smiled down at her mother than turned and headed for her room. She had unpacked last night, shoving her clothes into old drawers and the closet which still had a vanilla scented sachet hanging from the bar. She now opened the closet, smelling the vanilla and pulled out a blue blouse and some blue jeans. She quickly got dressed and combed and styled her hair into its original style. A quick touch of lipstick, cherries in the snow, and she was ready. Serena left her room and headed down stairs to fix the toast and set the table while up stairs her mother and father moped up the water that was starting to leak into the hallway.
She was putting the toast into the toaster when the doorbell rang. She quickly pushed the button down then headed for the front door. The doorbell rang again just has she put her hand on the door knob to open it reveling Shingo and his wife Mia.
"Hey oneesan!" Shingo said stepping forward to give her a hug.
"Shingo are you always going to be taller than me?" Serena laughed as she hugged him back.
"Usagi you have to remember that when we were young you were taller then him," Mia replied.
"Those were the days," Serena nodded letting go of Shingo and reaching over to hug Mia.
"Yea when you were my weird older sister," Shingo started.
"And you were my annoying little brother," Serena finished and let go of Mia. "Come on in, mom and dad are cleaning up the bathroom while I finish breakfast."
"Let me guess, the toilet backed up again?" Shingo asked stepping inside and looking up the stairs.
"Yea, I woke up to dad fixing it."
"Then I think I'll stay downstairs so I don't have to help." Shingo replied heading for the kitchen.
"Shingo I know your down there! Come up here and help me so your mother can finish breakfast!" Kengi yelled from the bathroom.
"I knew I should have been quieter," Shingo sighed heading back for the stairs.
"Even if you hadn't said anything your dad would have heard you coming in and Serena talking to us. Go on up there and help him, Serena and I will finish breakfast," Mia said pushing him gently towards the stairs.
"What ever you say dear," Shingo replied blowing a kiss to Mia who smiled up at him then took Serena's arm and headed for the kitchen.
"What needs to be done?" Mia asked as they entered the kitchen.
"Well the toast is finished so if you want to butter it I can set the table," Serena replied pointing to the toaster.
"Alright," Mia nodded and began pulling the toast out of the toaster. "So how long are you planning on staying here?"
"At the least a few weeks. I'm actually thinking about moving back in with my parents and getting a job here in Tokyo."
"But you have such a great job in Basalt! I thought you were happy there?" Mia replied.
"It is a nice job but maybe I'm not ready for that much stress," Serena pulled some plates out of a cupboard and set them down on the counter. "I'm still young and living in a new country with a different language is really difficult especially when its English."
"Usagi you are great in English, you know the language inside and out." Mia set down her knife and turned around. "I think I know the real reason you don't want to go back. I know you don't want to hear about this but I read in the paper about your break up with the prince."
"It was in the paper here?"
"It was in the celebrity gossip section of the Tokyo Times. The paper said that you and Prince Endymion had broken up over the fact that he was to marry an English royal."
"Yea, he is. Her name is Jeanette and I hope they are very happy together." Serena picked up her plates and headed for the dining room while Mia followed her.
"How can you say that? Shingo told me that you and the prince were very happy together. I used to look at the papers with the two of you together and you looked so happy, a lot like Shingo and I."
"Mia," Serena set down the plates with a bang. "Darien and I are not Shingo and you. He used me when the whole time he was engaged to a beautiful English girl. I'm not going back there to see him marry someone he loves more than me."
"Your jealous," Mia replied as it dawned on her. "Your jealous that he used you when he was supposed to be marrying another womyn."
"Of course I'm jealous! I loved him, and I might still do," Serena pulled out a chair and sat down. "He was the first guy to pay me some attention. You know how it is, you had Shingo all through your school years from elementary school till you graduated high school. I wanted that, but only one guy paid me attention and that was Umino before he started dating Naru in eighth grade. Then I was alone again until this year when I met Darien and we clicked. He liked me and I liked him and before I knew it I was in love with him. I felt really happy for the first time in a long time. I had a great job, great friends, and a wonderful guy. Then I find out that he's a prince and I'm thrust into the national spotlight. That didn't stop me though; I still loved him and would have done anything for him, including meeting his mother, the queen."
"How did the meeting go?"
"Terrible, she basically ground me into the floor by telling me about Darien's engagement to Lady Jeanette. I didn't say anything to him because I thought it was all wrong but then at the ball he kissed her and I realized it was true. So I packed up and left and came home. I never want to go back their again. It's to painful."
"Oh Usagi," Mia reached over and took her hand. "I never knew how hurt you felt. Now I know why you're running away from your life back there."
"Wouldn't you?" Serena asked raising her head out of her hand.
"Yea probably. I don't think I could take it either, I mean if Shingo did that to me I would be devastated. I guess I can understand how you feel."
"Then you know why I never want to go back to Basalt."
Mia was about to say something when Ikuko entered the room. "Girls what are you doing? Usagi you still haven't even set the table!"
Serena let go of Mia's hand and stood up. "Sorry mom, I'll get to it now. Thanks Mia."
Mia stood up also and smiled. "No problem Usagi." She then turned and walked into the kitchen followed by Ikuko who gave Serena a questioning look before walking into the kitchen.
Serena sighed softly then began setting out the plates.
He could have taken his private plane to Japan but something told Darien to disregard it. Instead he drove to the airport at eleven o'clock at night and parked his car in the closets parking spot he could find. It was still raining as Darien grabbed his luggage and ran through the drops that pelted his leather coat. Inside the terminal he bought a ticket and waited for the next flight to Japan which took off at 1am.
For the next two hours he sat on a hard plastic chair, occasionally dozing off but mostly thinking of Serena until it was time for his flight to leave. Once on the plane which was less than full, Darien choose a window seat and settled himself in for a long flight. He pulled on the headphones offering music and turned the channel to a classical music channel and closed his eyes. Maybe he slept or maybe he didn't but he dreamt about Serena standing in front of him with her back to him. Than she turned around and she was wearing the dress from the ball but as she smiled at him with happiness in her eyes she disappeared and he was left alone. After that Darien pulled off the headphones and stayed awake throughout the rest of the flight. He was awake to see the sun rise in the east while the moved closer to Japan.
It was almost noon when he walked through the tunnel into Tokyo's International airport. All around him people were speaking in a language that he had no idea of. He had majored in French, Spanish and Italian but not in Japanese which he realized would make this trip very hard for him, harder then it already was. This didn't stop Darien from walking out of the terminal into the sunlight city. He hailed a cab and somehow made it understood that he wanted a hotel. The cab driver dropped him off at a nice looking building in the heart of the city and only grumbled a little bit when Darien paid him in Euros.
Inside the building the hotel clerk who spoke English helped him get a room where he set down his luggage and fell into the bed, falling asleep almost immediately. Nine hours later when he woke up it was almost dark outside with the last of the sun's rays breaking through the buildings. Darien took a shower and changed into a crisp white shirt and a pair of blue jeans. His other clothes were folded and placed back in his suitcase which was left on the bed, he would come back later for it.
Now he left the hotel and walked through the city headed for the florist shop the hotel clerk had told him about. He picked out a dozen red roses wrapped in green plastic and paid for them with his newly converted Japanese currency. He also stopped at another store before he hailed a cab and handed the driver the paper with the address written in Kanji by the hotel clerk. The driver got it immediately and began driving out of the city into the suburbs. Soon they arrived in front of a nice looking house with a balcony in the front. Darien looked up at the house for the first time seeing Serena's girlhood home. This was where she had grown up...
"Kinkei-san," the taxi driver said turning around in his seat.
"Oh yes just a moment please." Darien counted out some money and handed it to the driver and climbed out of the cab.
As the driver drove off he stood there looking up at the house deciding how he would pull this off when all of a sudden the lights in the room by the balcony turned on. Darien stepping into the shadows created by the fence boarding the property just as the sliding door opened and someone stepped out.
Serena wrapped her shawl around her shoulders and stepped out onto the cool pavement. It was still early in spring making the air outside slightly cool. She had pulled on her pajamas preparing to go to bed but something made her want a breath of fresh air. So she had put on her shawl and walking out to the balcony. Now outside she took a few deep breaths feeling the fresh air in her lungs.
Down below Darien watched has she walked over to the railing and rested her arms on it. This was the perfect time. He pulled out the boom box he was holding and set it down on the ground. Darien reached down and pressed the on button allowing the first strands of "My Confession" to fill the air.
Above him on the balcony Serena straightened up and looked around her. She knew this song! She had just bought the CD a few weeks ago and fell in love with it, especially this song. Serena looked below her to the ground where the music was coming from the darkness when all of a sudden a figure stepped out of the shadows holding something in its hand. As the figure stepped into the light Serena gasped and let go of the railing to take a step back.
Below her Darien held out the roses and put his hand on his heart and fell to his knees.
"Now I feel myself surrender each time I see your face.
I am captured by your beauty and your all awe-aspiring grace.
And I feel my heart is falling into place.
I can't hide now hear my confession."
Serena put her hand over her mouth as Darien sang along with the lyrics. When she had bought the CD right before she and Darien broke up she had mentioned that she loved this song. She had said she wanted it to be a theme of her life. Darien had laughed and said she was only looking at the romantic-ness in her life. Now he was below her singing this song, a song she had thought he forgot about.
"My princess! Say you'll come down to me or else I shall climb up to you!" Darien stood up and held out both arms wide while she looked down at him.
Above him Serena moved her hand away from her mouth and looked down at him. He was standing there; both arms open wide while the song played on. She didn't have to think; instead Serena turned around and ran back into the house. Meanwhile Darien stood still as she ran down the stairs and out the front door which had just been opened by her mother and father who were wondering why this song was being played in front of their house. Serena ran up to him and stopped, her shawl had fallen to the crook of her arms but she didn't notice. Everything inside her was focused on him.
"What are you doing here?"
Darien lowered his arms and looked down into her eyes.
"I came for you. Basalt is a lonely country without you to bring the sunshine in it."
"But you have Jeanette..." Serena began but trailed off.
"And I don't want her. Why would I want second best when I can have the best." Darien lowered himself to on knee. "Please come back to me Serena "Usagi" Tuskino and say you'll never leave me again. I could not stand to ever loose you again."
Serena looked down at him on his knee looking up at her. Behind her, her mother and father had stepped out onto to the porch and were watching them. Kengi had placed his arm around Ikuko who was clutching her hands to her chest.
"Darien I..." Serena began then stopped and looked behind her to her parents. Ikuko smiled at her while Kengi nodded his head. Serena turned back to Darien and looked at him from where he was still kneeling. Slowly Serena smiled and lifted Darien up to his feet. "Your highness, I accept your proposal," she replied softly.
Darien didn't say anything for a moment but just looked at her with her hands on his arms then suddenly he let out a whoop of joy and crushed her into a hug. Behind them Ikuko sighed in relief and wiped her eyes while Kengi squeezed her shoulders gently. Darien let go of Serena and held out the roses for her which she took and laughed softly.
"Was this your plan to win with me with roses?"
"And music," Darien replied. "If you hadn't come out in the beginning I would have stayed out here all night until you came back to me."
"And what about Jeanette?" Serena asked quietly.
"You were right, she's trash. I should have known since the beginning that I could only love one womyn."
"And that womyn is not Jeanette?"
"No," Darien shook his head and took a hold of her arms. "I knew deep down that you were the one since that day at the restaurant when you forgot your wallet. I just didn't want to listen to my heart for fear of being hurt."
"I could never hurt you Darien," Serena whispered softly.
"And I'll never hurt you again Serena," Darien whispered back.
Serena smiled and reached up on tiptoes to kiss him. He pulled her into his arms as their lips met. The kiss was sweet and gentle, a fusing of two souls joining as one. And meanwhile Kengi and Ikuko walked into the house while Serena stood with her man outside in the night air, her shawl falling to the ground.
The song I used is called "My Confession" by Josh Groban on his album Closer. I thought it fit the mood of the story and Darien's confession to Serena. In the mean time the last chapter will be out next week. Please remember to read and review or send all comments, questions, flames, and suggestions to SaphriansWaterReflectionhotmail.com. Thank you!