Hey all, I'm sorry this one is taking so long! I have a major writer's
block complex but I decided that the best way to get rid of it is to write!
And write write write! So I wrote "Shadows" and I'm now inspired to go
ahead and add to my other two SM series. So, please read "Shadows" as it
has helped me very much with "The Unexpected" and "In Happy Hiding!" Thank
you! BTW-this is your anniversary present (refer to bio if confused)
however the fact that it is over a month late! Gomen nasai! Aishiteru,
minna!
-Moon Pie
Episode 4
--------------------------
Amara positioned herself at the door of her house, arms crossed menacingly. She had received word from Lita the night before that they had discovered the secret of the Prince and Princess, but they were sworn to secrecy.
"Come on, Amara!" Lita protested, annoyed at the harassment. "They both commanded me as the future King and Queen of Crystal Tokyo and the Crystal Millennium not to tell you. Now if it was you, wouldn't you say that I don't really have a choice in the matter?! I mean, they are kind of the Prince and Princess, and I am kind of supposed to listen to them. So, I'm sorry, but they want to inform you and the others, themselves. Later!"
Amara had been unhappy, but she knew Lita was right; it was a promise not to be broken. Plus, Lita had gotten Amy to get on the communicator and tell the Soldier of the Wind that the problem was nothing dangerous.
But still, Michelle had shown her in the mirror that the two of them were heading this way after returning from the beach house. So, this is where she decided to wait. She sensed them turning the corner. Something was different about the Princess's energy. It was stronger, brighter. And the Prince's aura just glowed with happiness. Obviously, this wasn't something dangerous. Yet, the two were planning some mischief, and being out of the loop made the Senshi of Uranus very unhappy.
The couple approached the door; Amara did her very best to glare, but the couple was just too happy. Darien escorted a gliding Serena to the door. He bowed; she curtsied. "May we enter?" Serena asked, grinning.
Amara grumbled and stepped aside. Darien opened the door for his wife, and held it open for Amara. She grumbled some more and followed the Princess in. Darien choked back a chuckle.
Serena found the room populated. Hotaru had placed herself in the recliner, cross-stitching quietly, though she looked up curiously, locking eyes with her Princess. Trista and Michelle shared the sofa, each with a pair of eyes boring into the future Queen and King as he joined her by her side. Trista's eyes danced knowingly. The couple smiled a thanks for keeping their secret.
"Ahem."
Amara glared and motioned for them to get on with it. Serena giggled, and squeezed Darien's hand. She thought for a moment, then decided on a means of revealing her news. She looked around at the composed, mature Outer Senshi, and then, spoke, as if addressing a small child.
"Well, girls, when a husband and his wife really love each other, they take a nap together and then a baby-." She didn't get to finish due to the screams that pierced the air in the room.
***1 Hour Later***
"No, no morning sickness. A perk of the Senshi powers, thank goodness! And yes, fighting is fine." Serena went on to explain what Luna had told her. "Seems like the baby might be better off if I was fighting all the time!" She said, laughing.
"Hold on a minute!" Amara broke in when Michelle was done with her interrogating, "I heard you say something about a power drain?"
Serena rolled her eyes at her overprotective friend. "Hai, hai, but it's just a little thing!" She said, exasperated. "After a fight, when I power down, I just feel a little weak, that's all. Sheesh, I don't even think anyone's noticed yet!"
Darien was shocked. He sure hadn't noticed. "But I'm glad you finally decided to tell us this, Buns!" He said, looking down into her eyes.
"Oh, stop with the staring and the guilt trips, Muffin! YOU didn't even notice and everyone knows how you're always watching me!" Serena seemed to sense a deeper meaning in her remark and blushed slightly. Darien only smiled.
"I can hardly keep my eyes off of you," he whispered, pulling her close.
Amara was about to break it up when Trista spoke. "Oh, leave them alone. They're married!"
Everyone chuckled, but it was fleeting. A beeping filled the room from the six communicators present. Serena raised her wrist to her mouth, and pressed the button.
"Yeah, what's up?"
Mina's voice floated over the speaker. "We got trouble here, Princess."
"Don't call me Princess, Mina."
Mina continued quickly, though a smile lurked in her voice. "This youma is in a shopping center, where I was conveniently scoping out the scene for trouble-"
"For sales!" Hotaru whispered. They laughed.
"Hey! I heard that! Anyway, sheesh, if I can finish my report! It's draining civilians, but this one can talk, unlike the previous youma."
"Well, what's it saying?" Michelle wondered.
"Seems the thing only knows two words: Find Serenity!" As if for proof, the sound of its rumbling voice growling the two words and a muffled "Supreme Thunder!" could be heard over the intercom.
Serena rolled her eyes. "Swell. Well, I'll help him 'find Serenity,' " She said, imitating the grumbling voice. "We'll be there in two minutes."
"Two?" Trista wondered.
Before another thought could be completed, Eternal Sailor Moon was there, and she cried
"Sailor Teleport!" without waiting for the others to power up. Nevertheless, all six of them were transported.
When they got there, Tuxedo Mask sent Sailor Moon an annoyed glance. She just smiled, making him smile despite himself. But before any other silent communication could happen, the youma swooped down on Sailor Moon, dodging the sign for a store. Sailor Moon ducked quickly, and rolled away then back to her feet and blasted him in one fluid motion.
Mars quickly sent a "Mars Flame SNIPER!" at the monster, but he simply dodged it, not taking his eyes off of Sailor Moon. She somersaulted away from another attempt to grab her. He manages to get an energy blast at her, grunting, "Serenity." and flinging energy at her. Sailor Moon, her back to him, stumbled when the energy pierced her ankle. Tuxedo Mask was conveniently there to catch her as she faltered. He thrust her behind his back, shielding her against attacks that did not come due to the "Silent Wall" that protected them.
"Well," Tuxedo Mask said grimly, breathing hard, "we know who they're after!"
Uranus growled fiercely at this admonition and leapt in front of the pair, screaming, "Space Sword BLASTER!" The attack weakened the monster, as Mercury whisked Sailor Moon away into a previously emptied store and turned the lights off.
"I still have to finish him off, Ami-chan!" Sailor Moon whispered urgently, listening to the sounds of fighting outside the door.
"Hai, I know. I want to look at your ankle." She examined it quickly with her visor. "Only a minor bruise. It will be black and blue for a day, but that should be all."
Sailor Moon was paying no attention. Her eyes had turned cold and dark. Mercury took a step back, startled. "Princess?"
Sailor Moon flexed her wings agitatedly. "Listen!" she commanded.
The youma's grating voice could be heard beneath a yelled, "Submarine Reflection!" His characteristic phrase had changed. "Serenity-inaccessible. Get Endymion."
This was all that Sailor Moon needed. She flew out the door to see the youma bearing down on her prince. Furious, she raised her scepter and blasted it with a passion. It dissolved away.
Before the Senshi could relax, a voice was heard. It was a male voice, clearly disguised. It came from nowhere, but was all around them. "It's just a matter of time, Serenity, you will be mine."
"I doubt that!" Sailor Moon yelled back impulsively. The Senshi stared at her; Tuxedo Mask hid a laugh. She threw her hips out and put her hands on them, glaring them down playfully. "What?! Sometimes the mysterious voices answer back!"
They laughed together, then teleported away.
*************
That evening, Darien treated his wife to a romantic picnic in the moonlight. They stretched out on a blanket, the food already eaten, basking in the beauty of night. A falling star shot across the sky, like a stray tear.
"Look! Did you see that?" Serena whispered, squeezing Darien's hand.
Darien smiled peacefully. "Hai."
"Beautiful, ne?"
"Not as beautiful as you."
Serena blushed, and hurried the conversation on. "Did you make a wish?"
"Hai, you?"
She blushed even more, remembering what her wish had been. "Ano...hai."
Darien only smiled, and pulled her close. He brushed a gentle kiss on her forehead, whispering quietly, "I'd say it was bad luck to tell you my wish, but I think we wished for the same thing."
Serena looked up at him, drinking in every soft little nothing written in his sapphire eyes. He gazed back into them, finding nothing but love in his wife's deep sky orbs. Then again, Serena's eyes always held love. It was the moments when they held love for him that he treasured.
"Serenity..." he breathed, brushing a finger down her cheek.
He held the moon princess with his eyes before kissing her deeply on the mouth. When he pulled away, a pretty blush graced her cheeks.
"Endymion..." she whispered back. Suddenly, Darien noticed her eyes widen as she stared behind him.
"Get down!" she cried, tackling her prince to the ground. Quick as lightning, he responded, carrying their momentum in a roll, then leaping to his feet to shield her while transforming all in one fluid motion.
"Moon Eternal! Make up!" signaled the arrival of Sailor Moon. But when the bright lights of her transformation dimmed, the youma was nowhere to be seen.
"Show your face, coward!" Tuxedo Mask bellowed, furious at the interruption. In his anger, his senses were slowed. However, Sailor Moon heard the soft swish of rope floating through the air, and instinct whirled her around to face her love. Quick as lightning, she turned her shoulder to Tuxedo Mask, and body slammed him out of the way of the net flying through the air. Tuxedo Mask flew through the air landing roughly on the ground and slid. He whirled around immediately and caught sight of his beloved entangled in a net held by a hideous youma. It pulled on one of the ropes, and the net cut off Sailor Moon's air supply. Then, leaving her this way, the youma dropped the net, and flew at Tuxedo Mask, screeching, "Retrieve Endymion!"
"World Shaking!"
"Deep Submerge!"
The two attacks marked the arrival of the Outer Senshi. The attacks stopped the youma in its place as Tuxedo Mask rolled to safety, his eyes flying to his princess. Her face was blue as she struggled violently against the ropes that entangled her.
"Mars Flame Sniper!"
"Jupiter Oak Evolution!"
A fiery arrow and razor sharp leaves cut the ropes around, Sailor Moon. She crumbled out of the net, heaving and coughing. Tuxedo Mask hurried to her side, throwing roses as he went.
The youma recovered from a simultaneous tsunami and earthquake and rushed at them, screeching, "Endymion!"
"Shabon Spray!"
"Venus Love-Me Chain!"
The chilling fog hid the couple as Mina snagged the youma with her chain. For a moment all was silent except for the gulping breaths of Sailor Moon. When the fog cleared, the youma looked up to see Sailor Moon, Tuxedo Mask at her side, holding her scepter high above her head. That was the last thing it saw before she blasted it to oblivion.
Only Pluto seemed to notice that Sailor Moon had used the wrong arm in her attack.
"Amy."
The Sailor of Wisdom looked up at her role model, eyebrows raised inquiringly.
"The princess."
Amy's fingers danced over her keyboard as she scanned Sailor Moon, rubbing her throat, carefully. Then, alarmed, she put it away and rushed to Serena's side.
"Sailor Moon!" she cried, moving the spherical sleeves of her fuku out of the way. Sailor Moon's arm was swelling badly and already bright red. Amy knew that by tomorrow it'd be black and blue. "You put ice on that as soon as you get home!" she ordered.
Before anyone could respond, a voice, female and disguised, rumbled through the air. "Soon, Endymion, you will be mine!"
Sailor Moon shook the fist on her good arm at the air, and like earlier, yelled back, "I doubt that!"
Everyone laughed, and powered down in the darkness. The Senshi slowly trickled away, leaving Darien and Serena alone in the moonlight again. Darien guiltily eyed her arm, but instead of whapping him for thinking such a thing, he noticed Serena was deep in thought. Her eyebrows were knit together above her eyes, clenched closed with concentration, a thoughtful finger resting at the corner of her mouth.
"Serena?"
She jerked out of her thoughts, startled, then whapped him over the head. "Don't think that way, Darien!" she commanded, smiling.
Darien grinned, and forgot the brooding expressing that had earlier clouded her face. "Are you okay?" he asked her for the sixth time.
"Fine!" she cried, exasperated. "And no worries about the baby, it's just dandy while I'm morphed.
He grinned again, and wrapped his arm around her waist. Again, he forgot about her power drain, despite her heaving leaning on his arm and quietly labored breathing.
*******
Coming soon in Episode Five: Serena's four months along and finally decides to tell the rest of the world! Also, the royal couple are attacked in their sleep and Serena's injured and continues to fret quietly to herself. Find out in Episode Five!
-Moon Pie
-Moon Pie
Episode 4
--------------------------
Amara positioned herself at the door of her house, arms crossed menacingly. She had received word from Lita the night before that they had discovered the secret of the Prince and Princess, but they were sworn to secrecy.
"Come on, Amara!" Lita protested, annoyed at the harassment. "They both commanded me as the future King and Queen of Crystal Tokyo and the Crystal Millennium not to tell you. Now if it was you, wouldn't you say that I don't really have a choice in the matter?! I mean, they are kind of the Prince and Princess, and I am kind of supposed to listen to them. So, I'm sorry, but they want to inform you and the others, themselves. Later!"
Amara had been unhappy, but she knew Lita was right; it was a promise not to be broken. Plus, Lita had gotten Amy to get on the communicator and tell the Soldier of the Wind that the problem was nothing dangerous.
But still, Michelle had shown her in the mirror that the two of them were heading this way after returning from the beach house. So, this is where she decided to wait. She sensed them turning the corner. Something was different about the Princess's energy. It was stronger, brighter. And the Prince's aura just glowed with happiness. Obviously, this wasn't something dangerous. Yet, the two were planning some mischief, and being out of the loop made the Senshi of Uranus very unhappy.
The couple approached the door; Amara did her very best to glare, but the couple was just too happy. Darien escorted a gliding Serena to the door. He bowed; she curtsied. "May we enter?" Serena asked, grinning.
Amara grumbled and stepped aside. Darien opened the door for his wife, and held it open for Amara. She grumbled some more and followed the Princess in. Darien choked back a chuckle.
Serena found the room populated. Hotaru had placed herself in the recliner, cross-stitching quietly, though she looked up curiously, locking eyes with her Princess. Trista and Michelle shared the sofa, each with a pair of eyes boring into the future Queen and King as he joined her by her side. Trista's eyes danced knowingly. The couple smiled a thanks for keeping their secret.
"Ahem."
Amara glared and motioned for them to get on with it. Serena giggled, and squeezed Darien's hand. She thought for a moment, then decided on a means of revealing her news. She looked around at the composed, mature Outer Senshi, and then, spoke, as if addressing a small child.
"Well, girls, when a husband and his wife really love each other, they take a nap together and then a baby-." She didn't get to finish due to the screams that pierced the air in the room.
***1 Hour Later***
"No, no morning sickness. A perk of the Senshi powers, thank goodness! And yes, fighting is fine." Serena went on to explain what Luna had told her. "Seems like the baby might be better off if I was fighting all the time!" She said, laughing.
"Hold on a minute!" Amara broke in when Michelle was done with her interrogating, "I heard you say something about a power drain?"
Serena rolled her eyes at her overprotective friend. "Hai, hai, but it's just a little thing!" She said, exasperated. "After a fight, when I power down, I just feel a little weak, that's all. Sheesh, I don't even think anyone's noticed yet!"
Darien was shocked. He sure hadn't noticed. "But I'm glad you finally decided to tell us this, Buns!" He said, looking down into her eyes.
"Oh, stop with the staring and the guilt trips, Muffin! YOU didn't even notice and everyone knows how you're always watching me!" Serena seemed to sense a deeper meaning in her remark and blushed slightly. Darien only smiled.
"I can hardly keep my eyes off of you," he whispered, pulling her close.
Amara was about to break it up when Trista spoke. "Oh, leave them alone. They're married!"
Everyone chuckled, but it was fleeting. A beeping filled the room from the six communicators present. Serena raised her wrist to her mouth, and pressed the button.
"Yeah, what's up?"
Mina's voice floated over the speaker. "We got trouble here, Princess."
"Don't call me Princess, Mina."
Mina continued quickly, though a smile lurked in her voice. "This youma is in a shopping center, where I was conveniently scoping out the scene for trouble-"
"For sales!" Hotaru whispered. They laughed.
"Hey! I heard that! Anyway, sheesh, if I can finish my report! It's draining civilians, but this one can talk, unlike the previous youma."
"Well, what's it saying?" Michelle wondered.
"Seems the thing only knows two words: Find Serenity!" As if for proof, the sound of its rumbling voice growling the two words and a muffled "Supreme Thunder!" could be heard over the intercom.
Serena rolled her eyes. "Swell. Well, I'll help him 'find Serenity,' " She said, imitating the grumbling voice. "We'll be there in two minutes."
"Two?" Trista wondered.
Before another thought could be completed, Eternal Sailor Moon was there, and she cried
"Sailor Teleport!" without waiting for the others to power up. Nevertheless, all six of them were transported.
When they got there, Tuxedo Mask sent Sailor Moon an annoyed glance. She just smiled, making him smile despite himself. But before any other silent communication could happen, the youma swooped down on Sailor Moon, dodging the sign for a store. Sailor Moon ducked quickly, and rolled away then back to her feet and blasted him in one fluid motion.
Mars quickly sent a "Mars Flame SNIPER!" at the monster, but he simply dodged it, not taking his eyes off of Sailor Moon. She somersaulted away from another attempt to grab her. He manages to get an energy blast at her, grunting, "Serenity." and flinging energy at her. Sailor Moon, her back to him, stumbled when the energy pierced her ankle. Tuxedo Mask was conveniently there to catch her as she faltered. He thrust her behind his back, shielding her against attacks that did not come due to the "Silent Wall" that protected them.
"Well," Tuxedo Mask said grimly, breathing hard, "we know who they're after!"
Uranus growled fiercely at this admonition and leapt in front of the pair, screaming, "Space Sword BLASTER!" The attack weakened the monster, as Mercury whisked Sailor Moon away into a previously emptied store and turned the lights off.
"I still have to finish him off, Ami-chan!" Sailor Moon whispered urgently, listening to the sounds of fighting outside the door.
"Hai, I know. I want to look at your ankle." She examined it quickly with her visor. "Only a minor bruise. It will be black and blue for a day, but that should be all."
Sailor Moon was paying no attention. Her eyes had turned cold and dark. Mercury took a step back, startled. "Princess?"
Sailor Moon flexed her wings agitatedly. "Listen!" she commanded.
The youma's grating voice could be heard beneath a yelled, "Submarine Reflection!" His characteristic phrase had changed. "Serenity-inaccessible. Get Endymion."
This was all that Sailor Moon needed. She flew out the door to see the youma bearing down on her prince. Furious, she raised her scepter and blasted it with a passion. It dissolved away.
Before the Senshi could relax, a voice was heard. It was a male voice, clearly disguised. It came from nowhere, but was all around them. "It's just a matter of time, Serenity, you will be mine."
"I doubt that!" Sailor Moon yelled back impulsively. The Senshi stared at her; Tuxedo Mask hid a laugh. She threw her hips out and put her hands on them, glaring them down playfully. "What?! Sometimes the mysterious voices answer back!"
They laughed together, then teleported away.
*************
That evening, Darien treated his wife to a romantic picnic in the moonlight. They stretched out on a blanket, the food already eaten, basking in the beauty of night. A falling star shot across the sky, like a stray tear.
"Look! Did you see that?" Serena whispered, squeezing Darien's hand.
Darien smiled peacefully. "Hai."
"Beautiful, ne?"
"Not as beautiful as you."
Serena blushed, and hurried the conversation on. "Did you make a wish?"
"Hai, you?"
She blushed even more, remembering what her wish had been. "Ano...hai."
Darien only smiled, and pulled her close. He brushed a gentle kiss on her forehead, whispering quietly, "I'd say it was bad luck to tell you my wish, but I think we wished for the same thing."
Serena looked up at him, drinking in every soft little nothing written in his sapphire eyes. He gazed back into them, finding nothing but love in his wife's deep sky orbs. Then again, Serena's eyes always held love. It was the moments when they held love for him that he treasured.
"Serenity..." he breathed, brushing a finger down her cheek.
He held the moon princess with his eyes before kissing her deeply on the mouth. When he pulled away, a pretty blush graced her cheeks.
"Endymion..." she whispered back. Suddenly, Darien noticed her eyes widen as she stared behind him.
"Get down!" she cried, tackling her prince to the ground. Quick as lightning, he responded, carrying their momentum in a roll, then leaping to his feet to shield her while transforming all in one fluid motion.
"Moon Eternal! Make up!" signaled the arrival of Sailor Moon. But when the bright lights of her transformation dimmed, the youma was nowhere to be seen.
"Show your face, coward!" Tuxedo Mask bellowed, furious at the interruption. In his anger, his senses were slowed. However, Sailor Moon heard the soft swish of rope floating through the air, and instinct whirled her around to face her love. Quick as lightning, she turned her shoulder to Tuxedo Mask, and body slammed him out of the way of the net flying through the air. Tuxedo Mask flew through the air landing roughly on the ground and slid. He whirled around immediately and caught sight of his beloved entangled in a net held by a hideous youma. It pulled on one of the ropes, and the net cut off Sailor Moon's air supply. Then, leaving her this way, the youma dropped the net, and flew at Tuxedo Mask, screeching, "Retrieve Endymion!"
"World Shaking!"
"Deep Submerge!"
The two attacks marked the arrival of the Outer Senshi. The attacks stopped the youma in its place as Tuxedo Mask rolled to safety, his eyes flying to his princess. Her face was blue as she struggled violently against the ropes that entangled her.
"Mars Flame Sniper!"
"Jupiter Oak Evolution!"
A fiery arrow and razor sharp leaves cut the ropes around, Sailor Moon. She crumbled out of the net, heaving and coughing. Tuxedo Mask hurried to her side, throwing roses as he went.
The youma recovered from a simultaneous tsunami and earthquake and rushed at them, screeching, "Endymion!"
"Shabon Spray!"
"Venus Love-Me Chain!"
The chilling fog hid the couple as Mina snagged the youma with her chain. For a moment all was silent except for the gulping breaths of Sailor Moon. When the fog cleared, the youma looked up to see Sailor Moon, Tuxedo Mask at her side, holding her scepter high above her head. That was the last thing it saw before she blasted it to oblivion.
Only Pluto seemed to notice that Sailor Moon had used the wrong arm in her attack.
"Amy."
The Sailor of Wisdom looked up at her role model, eyebrows raised inquiringly.
"The princess."
Amy's fingers danced over her keyboard as she scanned Sailor Moon, rubbing her throat, carefully. Then, alarmed, she put it away and rushed to Serena's side.
"Sailor Moon!" she cried, moving the spherical sleeves of her fuku out of the way. Sailor Moon's arm was swelling badly and already bright red. Amy knew that by tomorrow it'd be black and blue. "You put ice on that as soon as you get home!" she ordered.
Before anyone could respond, a voice, female and disguised, rumbled through the air. "Soon, Endymion, you will be mine!"
Sailor Moon shook the fist on her good arm at the air, and like earlier, yelled back, "I doubt that!"
Everyone laughed, and powered down in the darkness. The Senshi slowly trickled away, leaving Darien and Serena alone in the moonlight again. Darien guiltily eyed her arm, but instead of whapping him for thinking such a thing, he noticed Serena was deep in thought. Her eyebrows were knit together above her eyes, clenched closed with concentration, a thoughtful finger resting at the corner of her mouth.
"Serena?"
She jerked out of her thoughts, startled, then whapped him over the head. "Don't think that way, Darien!" she commanded, smiling.
Darien grinned, and forgot the brooding expressing that had earlier clouded her face. "Are you okay?" he asked her for the sixth time.
"Fine!" she cried, exasperated. "And no worries about the baby, it's just dandy while I'm morphed.
He grinned again, and wrapped his arm around her waist. Again, he forgot about her power drain, despite her heaving leaning on his arm and quietly labored breathing.
*******
Coming soon in Episode Five: Serena's four months along and finally decides to tell the rest of the world! Also, the royal couple are attacked in their sleep and Serena's injured and continues to fret quietly to herself. Find out in Episode Five!
-Moon Pie