Oh my goodness! I have never received such moving reviews as I had with chapter 11! So I decided to personally thank all of you that have reviewed up to this update.
MY THANKS GOES OUT TO:
Hell's Hauntress: Girl you're going to catch a coronary! Calm down!
Scorpio Night Shadow: You are totally welcome for the update, hope you enjoy this one.
Carrie: I know, I wanted to stir emotion and make people sweat.
Sailor Leo: We need to write something together, I like your style!
Backlash: Thanks you are on my list.
Bunnicula 03: I glad you feel our pain and thanks for all of your reviews. (You actually read that much in one day?)
Lia: Ohhh a bastard jackass!!! I like your phrasing!
Bluejello: You're welcome.
How can you get your name in my publication? Just review and I will add you too. And remember to be placed on my update list, include your email in your review!
Oh, I don't own Sailor Moon. But Ayden, Blake, Ceron, Thalia, and Lairabeth are mine!
Here is the next chapter.
A Tangent in the Future
By Crystaldove
Chapter 12
"Oh Darien…you don't know how long I've waited for you to say that."
She took her hand from his hold and began to pace around him.
"From the moment we met, I knew how I felt about you. It killed me to know that you didn't feel the same way, that you would rather insult me than to talk to me. But I took it in stride; insults were better than no conversation at all. During our entire relationship, you always knew how I felt about you…I had to prove myself to you too. I had to prove I was more than a klutzy schoolgirl, prove that I was a strong warrior…I had to prove my love to you when you were under Beryl's command. When you lost your memory…I had to prove not only my friendship but also my love. Do you know how hard it was to see you, remembering everything we've been through, and you wanting to spend all of your time with Ann?"
She turned to face him once more.
"I would talk to Mina…because she understood. She told me to cherish this opportunity to get to know you without our past in the way. Then I would consult with my guardian…and she would tell me to focus on the task at hand and not worry about you…to worry about the enemy that neither of you would believe was Ann and her brother. Do you know how that made me feel? Knowing that the love of my life and my most trusted confidante didn't have the faith to believe me? Then your memory comes back. I think, finally, we can be together…and this child shows up, making my life hell. And instead of my boyfriend standing by my side, he turns his back on me and dumps me because of some dreams. Then he hurts me more than ever because it was for my own good and he was trying to protect me."
"Do you see the problem…I have always been the one putting effort into us. And now after your grandest feat of betrayal, when I've met someone else…you finally say the words I have been dreaming of for so long. After all you've put me through, I'm supposed to take you back after a few sentimental words? That kind of thing only happens on TV. You don't love me; you just don't like competition. But don't worry, Ayden's not your competitor. For there to be a competition, I would still have to have feelings for you…and I don't!"
She gave him a cynical grin. One that made his eyes widened in shock and anger. Mina stood behind him trying to hold in her laughter. She was glad she got to witness this confrontation
"It's been real lovely Darien. Lets go Mina."
Serena turned away from the fuming prince and child and continued her trek to Ayden's. Reeny ran from Darien to go after Serena.
"Mommy, what about me?"
"Serena did she just call you mommy?"
"Yeah, she must be delusional. I don't have a child…and who would want 'her' for their daughter? Mothers' get respect from their children…"
Reeny stood in shock. She was hurt by Serena's statement until she realized what she meant.
Mothers' get respect from their children…
"I've treated her like trash…I've treated my mother like she was the lowest thing on the earth. I want to be mad at her for denying me like that…but who would claim me after all I've done to her."
"What are you talking about Reeny, what she said was cruel."
"The truth hurts Darien…She's right, you don't love her. My daddy treats mommy poorly and instead of defending her…I do the same thing he does, yet she loves me anyway. I can't say the same about my daddy."
She looked at him with big cinnamon eyes.
"Do you love me Daddy?"
"Uh sure Reeny, you know I do."
"You don't change…daddy never tells me either!"
Tears fell from her eyes and she walled back towards Darien's apartment.
'This isn't over Serena…I see Reeny, and know what the future holds. I'm not giving up so easily. You will be mine.'
Darien returned home to an empty apartment.
'She's probably at a friends or out with Luna.'
"It's good to be alone again."
"And that is how it will remain unless you tell her the truth."
Darien jumped up at the voice. He transformed and looked around his apartment but found now one.
"Who's there? Come out before I hurt you!"
"I serious doubt you 'could' do that. But I will grant your request."
Darien looked towards his sofa to see a pair of magenta eyes moving to sit down. His eyes widened to an impossible width and he almost fainted when pools of mist surrounded the mysterious person.
"I am Sailor Pluto, Guardian of all Time and Space. But most importantly, sworn protector and confidante of the High Princess Serenity."
"Sailor Pluto…there is another one?"
"Several, but that is not for you to know. I am here on a mission whose results lay in your hands."
"My hands…what kind of mission?"
"There is more than one way to go home. The time it takes to get there depends on what direction you proceed in and obstacles can lengthen your journey. Will the objective still be attainable once your reach your destination Darien?"
"What? That doesn't make sense! You are speaking in riddles."
"If life were simple, there wouldn't be reason for this conversation. Just understand… 'Prince'. I am loyal to my princess, if she asks, I will tell her. But just so 'you' understand…I know what you did."
Darien paled and rose to his feet.
"You can't…I swear…"
"What, you can't touch me, so your threats are as empty as your personal life…"
The mist began to swirl around her and she began to vanish.
"She will find out, one way or another…"
The evening found Serena and Ayden talking on his balcony. She wanted to tell him what happened before dinner. She told him what happened with Darien now since they had time to talk about it.
"You actually told him that I wasn't his competition?"
"Yeah, how could he compete for something you've already won."
"Really…I mean you want to be with me?"
"Yes…I've never felt like this before. I've never felt wanted…needed or desired like I do when you look at me."
Ayden took Serena in his arms and looked deeply into her eyes.
"You mean like this?"
"Uh huh."
He leaned down and kissed her deeply. Slight moans escaped from both of their lips and Mina and Blake smiled from their spying location.
"Isn't that sweet? I have never seen her so happy, Darien never made her feel this way."
"Yeah, my brother wasn't the most romantic guy either; but look at him now! I'm glad they have found happiness in each other."
"Blake…"
Blake turned around to see Mina sliding closer to him. Her eyes had taking a slight hazy appearance and her lips looked kissably wet.
"Huh?"
"Have you found happiness yet?"
"No."
"What would make you happy?"
"This…"
Blake leaned down and kissed Mina. She began to tingle all over and her sigil appeared on her forehead, brightening the room with orange light.
Blake stopped in mid kiss to see her looking more beautiful than he ever had.
"What's going on Mina? What's up with the lights?"
"It means there is another strong bond being forged."
"Another?"
"Your brother and Serena are one, an extremely strong one at that."
"And the other one…"
Mina leaned in and kissed Blake again causing the light to grow in intensity.
"Who do you think?"
Blake smiled at her again before giving her a peck on the lips.
"Ayden, come up for air! We need to go celebrate!"
Ayden poked his angry head through the sliding door and frowned at his little brother.
"I'm in the middle of something here, what do you want?"
"We need to go celebrate."
"And the cause of this occasion?"
"You and Serena…and me and Mina."
"You and Mina!" Came the startled cry from outside. "Are you guys an item now?"
Mina peeked her head from around Blake's' shoulder.
"Yeah, you aren't the only attached one now."
"Yeah big brother, you aren't the only one with a girlfriend now!"
"What make's you think we're dating Blake?"
"The fact that you've been sucking face for the past 20 minutes…"
"And the fact that I felt your bond forge weeks ago kind of proves it."
Ayden pulled Serena inside, placing his arm around her waist and gave her a gentle squeeze.
"I guess you got us…right angel?"
"Angel?"
"Yeah Serena, you saved me from myself."
"Oh Ayden."
Serena leaned in to kiss him while ignoring the gagging sounds from Blake. They were like this for a few seconds when Ayden felt a presence in the room. He broke off the kiss and looked up to see magenta eyes looking at him out of the vision of the others.
"Let's go to Crown, I want to show off my girl."
"Good idea Blake, are you guys up for that or do you need more 'quality' time together?"
"Mina! That's fine with me, what do you think Ayden?"
"You guys go ahead. I want to freshen up some. Here Serena…" He said handing her some money. "Get us a pizza and I want a strawberry shake."
"Strawberry…I like chocolate better."
"Yeah but it reminds me of what kissing you tastes like."
This caused Serena to blush profusely and gave Ayden the chance to grab a quick kiss. They left him and soon as he closed the door…
"I think you need to tell Serena the actual reason for your banishment."
"No, I've hurt her enough. I can't cause her more pain."
"But you would let Darien do it?"
"What?"
"I know what happened."
"That's not surprising, you are the Guardian of Time. But telling her this would destroy the timeline."
"Are you sure?"
"…"
"The timeline was fragile before she met you and I have seen the future…all three of them…and you know how one ends. I tell you this because we are at the crossroads…the void of unknown time, even to me. I don't know what happened that caused things to divide but I do know that you are the reason."
"I have damaged things already, maybe I need to leave."
"And destroy the little faith she has regained in love?"
"I have given her hope?"
"All that matters is my princess' happiness. And if you are the key to obtaining it…time will mend itself."
"The choice is mine…" He murmured to himself.
"You will do the right thing, till we meet again."
Ayden didn't notice Pluto's departure. He was battling with conscience about what she said.
'I want Serena to love me for me, I don't want her to feel obligated because I've saved her from a life of misery.'
'I felt your bond forge weeks ago'
'Mina said she felt the bond between us…she only feels bonds of love, not obligation. Still, I don't want to cause her anymore pain. Her happiness is what's important and no matter what happens…I will preserve that!'
Ayden grabbed his jacket and went to join his friends.
"Artemis, how are you doing with those vegetables?"
"Hey, I may be a man but I know my way around the kitchen. I was a great chef in my day."
"Really, during the Silver Millennium?"
"Yeah I know things have changed since then. There is refrigeration and spices and electric stoves...ok so there have been a lot of changes since I've last been in the kitchen. But that doesn't mean I don't know how to use a knife!"
"Ok, I surrender, you are the man!"
"It's about time somebody noticed!"
Artemis and Lita were in his kitchen cooking dinner. Both had been having the best time they had in ages.
"Uh can I ask you something Artemis?"
"Sure, what do you want to know?"
"How do you feel about Luna? I know it may not be any of my business but I can't help to think you are at war with your emotions. You two have been through a lot and may have evolved feelings for each other and they are compromised by your duty to Serenity."
"I not going to lie to you Lita. I was attracted to Luna before we arrived in this galaxy. I thought she felt the same way. We dated a few times and I thought we would have become official…but I was just a guise to make another pilot jealous. I found out right before our migration here. The only reason she joined my crew was to make the man she really wanted jealous. I found out her true intentions before we crashed…"
Flash
"I can't believe I was so stupid! I mean coming with you of all people to make Manus realize he wanted me! You are truly pathetic! You're a sorry excuse for a pilot, I mean you hit an asteroid for goodness sake!"
"Shut up! No one asked you to join my crew and if you paid attention to matters other than your personal life, you would have noticed that the blast during our takeoff rendered our braking system useless. I used that asteroid to slow down our propulsion since we are near our destination!"
"We lost our brakes Ceron? Why didn't you tell anyone?"
"It is my duty to ensure the safety of my crew, telling everyone would have caused panic."
"Why didn't you tell me…I'm your co-pilot?"
"I didn't want to worry you…it's hard telling the person you care about that you could die."
"Ceron…I don't know what to say."
"Don't say anything Lairabeth…it's seems that emotion was a one sided affair. Know that you will never make a fool of me again…"
End flash
Lita stood speechless in light of what Artemis told her. She didn't think that Luna was capable of deceiving someone in order to get what she wants…she made a mental note to discuss that with Serena later.
"Are you alright?"
"I'm fine, but as far as your question…no the feelings I had for her dissolved long before my duty to the princess were enacted. I always knew that she would reveal her true self in due time. She tried to use those feelings to her advantage when we were first awakened. She thought my memories were partially suppressed and used my lack of acknowledgement to manipulate the decisions of the princess. I wasn't being inattentive, I just chose to let Serenity see what she was capable of."
"Your true name is Ceron?"
"Yes."
"Why did you chose another identity."
"We were hiding from the people who invaded our planet. Using such unfamiliar names to this system would have led them to us. I also wanted a new start…one that would have distanced me from the weak man I was…"
"You aren't weak Artemis. You are one of the strongest people I know. And believe me…I don't take strength lightly."
"You've shown me that a few times…Thalia, Princess of Jupiter."
"I like Ceron…it doesn't link you with Luna"
"Artemis is my title; the highest incarnation of Queen Serenity."
"I would prefer to call you that…you are my friend and friends don't use titles with each other."
"You consider me your friend."
"I consider you a lot more…but I understand if using your name hurts too much."
"It doesn't hurt anymore. I have come to terms with my past now. You are not the only one who likes my name. You know how Serena doesn't like officials that much."
"So I can call you Ceron?"
"Lita…"
"Yes"
"The pot is burning."
"Huh? Oh goodness, your stove! Grab the salt!"
They both broke out of the trance that had evolved between them to tend to the burning pot. Luckily dinner wasn't ruined since they hadn't begun cooking. They decided to concentrate on fixing the meal and reveled in each other's company.
Darien had stayed glued to his couch since Pluto left him a few hours ago. Darkness had settled in the sky and he wasn't concerned about anything but getting Serena back. He was brought out of his thoughts by scratching at the door. He staggered to it to find Luna nudging a ragged looking Reeny with him.
"Where have you been?"
"Somewhere, it's not like you cared anyway."
"Look, you may have talked to Serena like that but I'm not her and you 'will' treat me with the respect I deserve!"
Reeny looked up at the man whom she once had a crush on and gave him a shaky smile.
"Yes Mr. Chiba. I won't do it again, good evening."
She turned and entered his bedroom to complete her homework.
'I wonder what happened between them?' Luna thought to herself. 'I'll have to ask Artemis.'
'Artemis what happened between Darien and Reeny. He seems so upset, did Serena do something to him again?'
Artemis was startled by hearing Luna's voice. He was currently sitting on his couch talking to Lita. After dinner, they decided to get to know each other outside of Senshi affairs. He was thoroughly enjoying himself and was surprised at how much him and Lita had in common.
'What do I look like, a psychic? I don't know and I don't care what happened to Darien and Reeny. But what I do want to know is why every time he isn't happy, you blame the princess. No don't answer Lairabeth…whatever the motive I know it's personal.'
'Ceron? Why can't you let that go? That was over 1000 years ago and…'
'I don't want to hear this speech. I'm over it, over you and I've moved on to bigger and better things.'
'You mean Mina?'
'Mina is my charge. Why would I be involved with her, besides I think she has a thing for Blake. And if my senses are correct, they have formed a bond.'
'You let her form a bond with the enemy? What kind of guardian are you?'
'Like you can talk Lairabeth! You left our princess in her time of need. Whenever she needed you, you were holding a vigil with the computers at Central. And Blake isn't the enemy, or his brother. If not for them, Serena would have died from the fall that DARIEN caused. But look at where you are? What kind of guardian I am? I'm one that supports the decision of my charge, one that nurtures instead of hindering her decisions and development and I am one that thinks of her well being BEFORE my own!'
'I didn't mean that…'
'Can't it Luna, I don't want to here your excuses again. I'm sick and tired of them.'
'If you're not with Mina…who are you with?'
'Someone that cares about me. Someone who understands how rejection feels and what loyalty should be like.'
'You're with Lita…aren't you?'
'I've gotta go, can't keep the lady waiting'
'Ceron?'
'…'
'ARTEMIS!'
"Ceron, are you ok? You spaced out there."
"I'm sorry Lita. We were rudely interrupted by my former partner."
"Luna was communicating with you?"
"Are you jealous?"
"What, yes…I mean no of course not. Who am I to be jealous."
"You're my friend and a very special young lady Lita."
Artemis turned towards Lita and caressed her face softly.
"A man would have to be blind not to notice that." She blushed under his gaze. "How come you never wear your hair down?"
"Uh well, it would get in the way of fighting. So I always keep it up."
"I would like to see the real you…the one that hides behind your tough exterior."
Lita looked at him. The only person who ever told her that was Serena. Serena told her to stop hiding her beauty behind her tomboy image. Lita denied that but deep down wondered how Serena knew that her persona wasn't real. That she was really a delicate flower guarded by thorns.
She cautiously removed the clips from her hair and it cascaded in a river of auburn waves.
"See that wasn't too bad. You are so beautiful."
Lita looked at him with tears in her eyes. She understood why Serena was so determined to have someone in her life that truly cared for her, not just her position. And she also understood why Serena wanted all of them to embrace each aspect of themselves to be a force to reckon with.
"Do you really mean that?"
"I know how it feels to be deceived. I would never put anyone else through that kind of pain. What I say is true Lita, you are beautiful."
"I'm tired of being hurt…"
"I promise…I won't hurt you."
He leaned in and kissed her. This lasted for several minutes before he broke away from her.
"I've wanted to do that since I looked at you with my human eyes."
"Ceron."
"Yes Lita?"
"I felt the same way too."
She took the lead and kissed him.
At Crown, Serena and Ayden along with Mina and Blake were enjoying each other's company over a large pizza. In mid sip of her milkshake Mina stopped.
"What's wrong sweetie?"
"Nothing Blake…"
"I felt it too Mina. Artemis you sly dog."
"What am I missing?"
"Don't worry big bro, you aren't the only one confused."
"I felt another bond forming…and it seems to be between my guardian and our second in command."
"Artemis and Lita?"
"Yes…isn't it wonderful. My little Artie is growing up."
"…"
The parlor erupted into full laughter after Mina's statement. Happiness had finally found those who needed it. And Tokyo was at peace.
End chapter