Disclaimer:I know we don't usually do this, but a funny conversation over msn lead me (Tramie) to post it as a disclaimer.
Shottsy: Sure, I saw you rob that bank and knock over an old lady, just because you felt like it. Well you know what?
Tramie: ?
Shottsy: You can't do it because I have put an anti-stealing spell on you! That means, you can't steal!
Tramie: O_O! So, I can't even steal the rights to Sailor Moon???
Shottsy: No.
Tramie: That hurt, that hurt me right here. (points to place between thumb and finger)
Thanks to those who reviewed:
-/ Silver Moonlight-81 /-
-/ Hot Cuttie /- : But the story just wouldn't be the same without it's wonderful cliff-hangers! lol
And there will be a happy ending, don't worry! (At least we hope there will...)
Black Tide
Chapter 7
Desirable Visions
Serena slowly open her eyes, only to shut them again from the brightness of the light. "Darien?" She asked weakly, not knowing where she was.
She felt someone squeeze her hand, "Serena hunny, it's your mom."
"Mommy?" She asked weakly. She was talking but she didn't have enough strength to keep her eyes open. "Where are my friends? Are they okay?"
"They are okay, they have been waiting outside your door." Her mother smiled weakly, trying to reassure her daughter.
"What about Darien?" She didn't remember that her mother knew nothing of him. So her mother assumed that it was the young man that came in with her and her friends. Serena had been unconscious but he had been demanding that he not leave her side. The doctors were forced to give him a sedative.
Serena's mother smiled at the thought of it. "He's sleeping in the room next to yours." Serena couldn't wait to see him and jumped up off the bed. She was just about to run out of the room when all the scouts ran in.
"Serena, you're okay!" They yelled gleefully. Serena giggled at the sight before her. They all looked like a mess.
"Hey guys, you mind if I just..." Serena desperately wished to be by Darien's side.
"Just what Serena? You should be in bed!" Serena blushed and tried to make a run for the exit. She was blocked by her mother.
"What's wrong dear? Where are you trying to go?"
She blushed again, she would feel weird telling her mom that she wanted to see her boyfriend. Is he my boyfriend? I know that we love each other but I'd like to know what we are to each other."I... um... I want to go see Darien," She noticed her friends looking at her like they would come, "alone".
"So that's the boy you were calling for," her mother smiled. I'll have to have a talk with him later, see what his intentions with my daughter are.
"Can I please go see him?" Serena was growing impatient. She wanted to be with him.
"I don't know, I think we should get you checked by the doctor first", Her mother replied. She had been worried sick when Serena disappeared from the hospital 2 days ago. She wanted to make sure her daughter was all right. Then she could go see this Darien.
"I'll go get the doctor," Ami offered and walked out of the room. Serena crossed her arms and pouted. I hate this. I just want to see him!She knew he was fine, but still had to see him to make sure.
"Well Serena, you look fine!" The doctor said. It had took Ami ten minutes to find him.
"Now can I go?" I asked my mom, making sure I used puppy dog eyes.
"Yes, but after your visit your going home to rest." Serena smiled happily and ran to the next room.
Serena knelt down beside Darien. He had burns all down his left side. It's all because of me.She gently moved her hand over the burns, tracing the scars. She moved closer to him and brushed her lips lightly over his.
"Wake up, my love." His eyes moved slightly, but did not open. She once again traced his scars.
He slowly started to stir at her soothing touch, "Serena?" He asked weakly, even though he knew that it was her.
"Yes, open your eyes," Her voice soothed him even more.
He opened them to look at his love, his life. He touched her hand that rested on his cheek. "Are you all right?"
"Yes," she started to cry, "This is all my fault, if it weren't for me you wouldn't be in the hospital". She turned away from him.
"Hey," He called to her, "look at me Serena, it's not your fault, there was nothing you could do about it", He touched her chin, and rubbed the side of her face.
"But..." She stuttered.
"Shhh... no buts okay? What happened wasn't you fault". He smiled weakly. Her crying stopped and it was reduced to only sniffles. "Promise me you won't blame yourself."
She wasn't going to, she still thought that it was her fault. "Serena, please promise me".
"I promise".
The scouts watched from the door way. No one knew how close the too were. It was strange to see them this close. They could tell their leader was in pain. Rei turned her head. She was disgusted with herself. How could I have done that?
"Darien, promise me... we'll be together forever?" Serena blushed at her own words. She was hoping against hope that he would promise her that one thing.
Rei couldn't even bring herself to look at her friends. She didn't deserve them. She had doubted her leaders loyalty and tried to kill her! What kind of protector am I?
"Of course I promise. I'll always love you." Darien murmured as he Serena placed her head on his shoulder. He could feel all his pain evaporate.
"I... I'll never love another man. Ever." Serena silently vowed to herself. Darien heard this and smiled.
"I'll never love another woman either. I already have an angel." Serena blushed and small tears wet Darien's hospital gown.
Rei couldn't stand it any longer, she had to leave. She didn't deserve to be here after what she had tried to do. So she turned and left the hospital door way, fighting back the tears that threatened to fall down her fragile face.
Darien looked down at his hands, without him noticing Serena had slipped her hand into his. He smiled and squeezed her hand. It was weird that the simplest touch, simplest gesture could mean so much. He brought up her hand to his lips and kissed it. He finally noticed that her friends were standing at the door. "I think that your friends want to see you".
Serena looked over at her friends. She motioned for them to come in. She then turned back to face Darien. Her eyes widened in shock.
"Your... your scars are gone! The burns..." The scouts smiled. They all remember that Princess Serenity used to have healing abilities.
"Wait, where did Rei go?" Lita asked when she noticed the priestesses absence.
Mina went and checked out in the hallway. "She's gone."
"What do you mean she's gone?" Ami asked, "She was here a minute ago".
"I think she went home, I'm going to call the temple to see if she is there", Lita walked out. She was worried about Rei's sudden disappearance. It must have been because of what happened earlier.
"So are you both feeling better now?", Mina had taken a seat on one of the chairs in the room.
They nodded. "I feel great!" Serena said as she smiled. Darien placed his arm around her shoulders.
"You think they'll let us leave? I don't exactly like hospitals..." Darien asked, trying to hide his nervousness.
Ami sighed. "Probably not. They won't believe this sudden recovery," She then began to speak in a whisper, "We may have to sneak you guys out." Serena giggled slightly. Darien's tense arms relaxed and Serena sighed.
"Its getting late, visiting hours will be over soon. We better get going", Ami stood up. "Come on lets go find Lita".
"We'll see you guys tomorrow", Mina waved happily.
"Bye guys", Serena said, once she left the room she snuggled into Darien. She buried her fore head in the nape of his neck. "Humm... This is so comfy", Her mumbled voice said.
He stroked her hair, "Serena?"
"Humm", Her face was still in his shoulder. She was so comfortable that she didn't want to move.
Darien looked at Serena and realized that she was now asleep. "Good night Serena", He whispered and kissed her forehead before he too started to drift off to sleep.
"Oh, I didn't realize that you two were sleeping", Serena's mother had just walked in. She didn't want to wake them but Serena needed to go back to her room.
Darien shifted a little bit, "It's okay. You want me to take her back to her room, don't you?"
"I would let her stay with you but the doctor asked me to come get her", She replied apologetically.
Darien carefully got up with Serena in his arms, cradling her like a baby. He followed her mother down the hall to the other hospital room.
He set her lightly on the bed and kissed her cheek, so as not to get her mother worried. "Thank you." He whispered in her ear. Darien then turned to leave, but Serena's mother stopped him.
"You could stay with her. I know she would like that." Darien stared at her shocked. She just smiled. "My daughter needs someone like you in her life right now."
Serena rolled over in her slumber and mumbled 'Endymion' ever so softly. Only Darien caught it and he turned to watch Serena smile. What could my beautiful angel be dreaming about?
~*~ Dream ~*~
The sun was slowly setting, all was quiet and peaceful. Serenity stood looking over her balcony. "Enydmion, where are you?" She asked to the wind. He was supposed to come back tonight to see her.
She felt some one step behind her. She turned around to come face to face with her love. Before she could say anything, he greeted her with the sweet caress of his lips. "Endymion, you came back." She smiled and hugged him. He pulled her into a tight embrace. "I've missed you".
He smiled at her, "I promised you that I'd come back". He wrapped his arms around her waist, he noticed that she was shivering. "Your cold", He said as a statement, not a question. He took off his jacket and put it on her shoulders. He rubbed her arms so she would warm up.
"Thank you", She said quietly. She leaned into his embrace, taking in his smell. He smelled like roses and a mixture of other things; but his smell was the pure smell of Endymion.
"It's been horrible without you. My father... he had to leave again. My aunt's 'monsters' have been attacking the outer solar system again." She stopped and drew in a deep breath. "I don't want to lose my father. I don't think my mother would survive his..." Endymion wouldn't let her finish.
"He will be fine. He always is." Serenity nodded, and looked down at her feet.
"Is it wrong for me to be so afraid?" He cupped her cheek and sighed.
"Not at all."
She didn't want to think about losing her father because when she did she started to think about losing Endymion. She couldn't bear the thought of losing him, she loved him so much.
Endymion noticed that tears began to roll down her cheeks, "Don't cry. I promise that everything will be all right". He tried to soothe her with his words.
She believed him. When she was with him she felt protected and so safe. "Promise me that you won't leave me tonight?" She asked.
He gently stroked her blond hair. "Not for the world".
"Serenity!" Rei came running out onto the balcony out of breath, she had been running around trying to find her.
Serenity moved away from Endymion, "Rei calm down. What is it?"
"It's your father".
"My father? What's wrong?" She was panicking. Her mind thinking up all sorts of reasons why Rei would come to talk about her father.
"He's gone missing." She hadn't been expecting that. She fell to her knees, eyes unseeing; ears not hearing; mouth unmoving. Orders were shouted out from guards. She could feel herself being picked up and carried away. Even through all this, she wasn't worried about her father. Her aunt wouldn't kill him, would she? There's something else that's off. She thought.
Serenity didn't know where she was going. Her eyes saw nothing. She didn't know what was going on. "Serenity?" Her mother's voice pulled her out of her thoughts. She looked at her mother; her eyes were blotched. She had obviously been crying. Darien placed her on her own two feet.
"Mommy?" She asked, like a little girl. She ran into her mother's arms. She didn't know who it was more comforting for; her mother or herself.
"Serena, I know that Rei has told you that your father has gone missing", Her mother spoke sadly, fighting back tears. "I'm afraid..." She turned away from her daughter's face.
Serenity's heart slunk. She knew what her mother was going to say. Her father was dead.
Her mother broke into tears. She could no longer hold in what she was feeling. Serenity sat there, not crying, but comforting her distraught mother. Her time to grieve would be later. She needed to be strong for her mother. When she was alone, she would take the time to cry out her pain, but not now.
~*~ End Dream ~*~
Serena's hand reached out for Darien. Even in the deepest of dreams, she could still feel his presence. Darien's throat became dry and he could feel her pain. No longer was it physical. This pain was from the past she couldn't escape.
"We'll have to go back, won't we?" He asked no one in particular. Serena's mom looked at him confused. Go back where?She knew her question may never be answered.
-Negaverse-
"I... can't... believe... it..." Beryl was having difficulty breathing. "That attack shouldn't..." She fell before the large red mass in front of her. "Forgive me. I've failed again." Black lines formed in the red and it began to speak.
"I will not tolerate any more failures. This war has gone on for too many years. The generals are fighting to return to the living world and the Princess continues to get stronger. You have one last chance." It looked as the thing was smiling, if that were possible. "The catch is, I will become part of your body." Beryl had no time to reply. The red mass surrounded her and was absorbed into her skin.
"Now I can't loose." The newly transformed Beryl shouted.
-Rei's Temple-
The light from the fire flickered across Rei's face. She had been sitting there in front of the fire for a good two hours. The scouts had tried to contact her but she had avoided their phone calls. Why didn't I foresee this?She asked the fire. When Serena came to me when she first had her dream, why didn't the fire reveal our fate to us?She slumped down onto her knees. Why did I not trust Serena? Why was I so quick to attack her?
There was a soft knock at her door. "Come in." She called to the person.
Ami came and sat down next to her. "Why did you run off?"
Rei kept her eyes focused on the fire. "After the way I acted, I didn't deserve to be there."
Ami felt sorry for Rei, it wasn't her fault. "Rei, you can't blame yourself."
Tears ran down Rei's face. "She is my best friend and I attacked her! That's not what friends do. They stick up for each other and there I was, ready to kill her."
Ami put her arm around her shoulder. "She's forgiven you for that. We were all worked up about her having gone missing. Under the circumstances, any one of us would have done the same thing." Ami sighed when Rei didn't stop crying. "We have to believe in ourselves if this is to work." Rei looked up into Ami's eyes. She looked frustrated and tired.
"I just..." She began, but stopped when she saw the fire in front of her grow. She could see Beryl and she looked stronger than before. I thought she was dead! This can't be happening.
"Ami, I think we have a problem," She sighed. They had just come out from a big battle. "I think we should meet with the others, but we shouldn't tell Serena until she is out of the hospital."
"What? What did the fire show you?" Ami asked. The way Rei was talking was as though there was something majorly wrong.
"I saw Beryl. It seems that she has gotten some kind of power boost." Rei thought harder. She was already hard to beat, now she may be impossible.
Ami frowned. This wasn't good.
-Hospital-
"Darien, could you watch Serena for me, for a minute?" Serena's mother asked. "I have to go call her father."
"All right." He watched her walk out of the room, then he turned his attention back to Serena. He gently stroked her cheek. She stirred and opened her eyes. "Sorry, I didn't mean to wake you."
"No, it's okay." She sat up a little bit. Darien helped her. She was still tired but she didn't want to sleep. Her dreams were haunting her and she couldn't take it any longer.
He knew that she was troubled, "What's wrong?"
"It's just... I think Beryl is still alive."
"I... I know." He sighed. How do I say this?"When you were gone, I read this message on Ami's computer. It said, 'The Moon will find it's allies caught once more in a fight to save the universe.'"
"What do you mean Darien?" She didn't understand what it meant. "Do we have other allies? I know that Malachite was once your general. Does that mean that there are others like him out there?"
He didn't know what to say to her. There was many possibilities. Sure there could be more generals but there could also be... "I was thinking, why isn't there scouts from the other planets?"
"I don't know. Maybe there is and we just haven't met them yet. That could be what the message meant." Serena had many times thought about the possibilities of other scouts. The thought actually excited her and she wanted to know more. "Do the others know what the message said?"
"I would have told them but I turned into Endymion right after I read it." Everything was happening so quickly. First he and Serena realizing their feelings for each other. Then finding out about each others identities. Then it came crashing down on them when Serena was taken away after they discovered that she was the princess.
Serena got up out of bed. "I can't wait until later to get out of here. I'll grab all my stuff from here, you find my mom." Darien looked hesitant, but nodded.
After half an hour, Serena was at home. Her mother pleaded with the doctors to let both herself and Darien go home. Serena collapsed on her couch and Darien sat beside her.
"Serena, I'll be waiting for your explanation of all this. You don't have to tell me everything now, just don't expect me to forget about it." Serena nodded. She knew she would have to tell her parents someday.
Serena chewed at her bottom lip. Her parents had gone to bed about an hour ago. Darien had fallen asleep beside her on the couch. He had his arms wrapped protectively around her waist. She lay there deep in thought. Tomorrow would be the day when she explained everything.
She felt Darien shift behind her. He murmured softly and buried his face in the nape of her neck. "Mmm... "
"Darien, are you awake?" She asked, turning as much as Darien's arms would let her.
"No", He replied sleepily, "I'm still sleeping. Shush."
She turned around so that she was looking at his face. "Hi." She said, smiling softly.
"Hi," He replied grinning. He kissed her softly on the lips. "I guess you want me to be awake."
She absently played with the collar of his shirt. "Maybe..." She said slyly.
"Hmm," He kissed her again.
Soon they broke apart. "I think we should get up."
"Do we have to?" He rested his head on her shoulder.
"Yes. My parents might be coming downstairs soon. Plus, your breath smells."
Serena laughed as Darien put on a hurt face. "I can't believe you just said that." He smiled slightly.
"I can't believe you haven't let go of her yet." Serena's mother said from the stairs. Both Serena and Darien jumped into sitting positions and blushed.
"Good... Good-morning mom." Serena stuttered. Her mother only laughed.
"Uh, it's not what you think..." Darien started. Her mother continued to laugh.
"Don't worry dear. If I thought it was that, I wouldn't be standing here so calmly." She walked down the rest of the stairs. " Plus I completely trust you with my daughter. Now, who wants breakfast!" Darien watched confused as Serena jumped up at the mention of food and entered the kitchen. Her mother hadn't even scolded him. He was still sitting at the couch confused when Serena's father came down.
Darien frowned when he saw the serious expression on her dad's face. "Darien, do you have a minute?"
"Um, sure." Darien replied, moving over on the couch so that her father could join him.
"I would like to know what your intentions are towards my daughter."
Darien gulped. Her dad was having 'The Talk' with him. "Um, Mr. Tsukino..."
"Dad! Darien! Breakfast is ready." Serena came back into the room.
"We'll continue this conversation later." Her father got up and went into the kitchen. She saw the terrified look on Darien face. She walked over to him and wrapped her arms around him.
"What's wrong?" She asked. Something was definitely off. What did her father say to him?
"Nothing... your father just asked me to talk." He replied slowly.
Oh my god he didn't! "You mean 'The Talk'?"
Darien nodded. He stood up and reached out for Serena's hand. "Come on, let's go eat." Serena smiled and they sat at the kitchen table. They were surprised to see Sammy already there.
After they were done eating their eggs, bacon and toast, they all moved to the family room. "All right Serena. Care to begin your explanation?" Her mother asked kindly. Serena grabbed Darien's hand and he squeezed it tightly to reassure her.
"It all began last year..." And so began her explanation. Starting from when she met Luna to when she returned to the hospital. At first her parents didn't believe her, but Serena transformed quickly to show them she wasn't lying. Her brother only stared at her in awe. Finally, it was Darien's turn to speak.
"...now we just have to find Beryl and defeat her once and for all. After that, Serena will probably have to return to the Moon." Her parents eyes portrayed their sadness.
"Does... she have to go back?" Sammy whispered. Sure he enjoyed making fun of his sister, but that didn't mean he didn't care about her.
Serena saw that Sammy was upset and she moved off Darien's lap to sit next to him. "Don't worry Sammy, that doesn't mean that I can't come and visit you or vice-versa". He hugged her tightly. She hugged him back. It felt really good to be hugged by him.
"So, what are you going to do now?" Her mother asked.
"Darien and I are going to talk to the others. We found out some information yesterday that we need to share with them."
Her mother was almost in tears, "Does that mean that you are going after this Beryl person?"
"Yes." Serena said sadly. She could tell that her mother was upset.
Her mother broke down, "And what if you don't come back?"
She hugged her mother fiercely, "I promise that I'll come back."
"I'll make sure that she is okay. I would die before I let Serena get hurt again." Darien said.
Serena's dad knew that he didn't need to talk with Darien anymore. He had gotten the answer that he was looking for.
Serena went into her room to go change, while Darien waited outside. After a few minutes she came back down. "Are you ready to go?"
"Yes."
"Serena wait!" Her mother called. "I won't wait up for you." She smiled and hugged her. Then Sammy came and hugged her as well.
"Goodbye guys," She said. She didn't know if she would ever speak to them again, "I love you." She walked out of the door.
Serena's dad called to Darien, "Oh and Darien, take good care of my daughter for me."
-Temple-
Rei sat in front of the fire with the scouts around her. Serena had called for a meeting. She was sweating from the heat in the room. "Could someone open a door?" Rei yelled, just as Serena and Darien walked in. Serena giggled and sat down beside her. Rei smiled at her and gave her a quick hug. Serena's eyes widened in confusion, but she soon got over it.
"We have some new information." Darien and Ami said at the same time. "You first." Ami stated.
"We found out Beryl didn't die. Instead, she's only become stronger." Darien said quickly.
"Yes, that's what we found out too." Ami sighed.
"But that's not all," Darien continued, "We also found out that the war will take place on the Moon, and all it's allies will come to help." The scouts took a moment to process this information.
"Do we have any idea who these allies might be?" Lita asked.
"We," Serena said. She and Darien were now like one. When they were talking they would say 'we' instead of 'I'. "Darien and I think that it might be the other sailor scouts, from the outer solar system."
"Wow, I always thought that there might be other scouts, but I never admitted it." Venus was thinking to herself, but she said it out loud.
"Actually," Ami cut in, "I was thinking that it could be the goddesses."
Everyone took that in. It had been a while since they had last heard from them. "Do you think they will reveal themselves before the final fight?" Lita asked.
"Who knows. The Lunarian code didn't really go into detail. All it said was that our allies will be revealed." Darien was the only one who read it; he would have the best authority on it.
"So what are going to do now?" Mina asked, after a couple minutes of silence.
"We find Beryl." Serena replied blankly.
A pink mist filled the room they currently occupied. Coughs could be heard from each of the scouts. Then, just as suddenly as it had appeared, it disappeared. "Chibi?" Serena looked down at her arms in shock. She was holding a little girl, maybe two years old, with red hair done in her traditional odango hairstyle. The scouts turned to look at the little girl as well and looked around to see if there was any one else was in the room.
"Chibi?" She said again, holding out her hand. In her hand was a letter. Darien took it from the little girls grasp as Serena began to play with her.
"It's addressed to you, Serena." Serena stopped playing with the baby for a second and motioned for Darien to give her the letter.
She placed Chibi on her lap, and took the letter from Darien. She opened it slowly and read.
"Well Serena, what does it say?" Rei asked impatiently.
"It says, 'Wait' and that's all." She looked at it confused. Wait for what?
"Does this mean someone doesn't want us going after Beryl yet?" Mina asked. Everyone in the room was confused and deep in thought. Chibi giggled as she played with the tip of Serena's hair.
Serena looked down at the little baby, "Who's this from?"
The little girl giggled and stood on Serena's legs and pointed upwards.
"From the moon?" Darien asked. He looked at Serena. She looked so nice with a baby. Woah, where did that come from?He asked himself. Maybe because you want her to have a baby. A voice inside his head replied.
Chibi nodded and walked over to him and hugged his leg.
"And how old are you?" Serena said in a very childish voice. The little girl looked at her hand and uncertainly put up two fingers. "You're two?" The girl nodded. "You're pretty smart for someone your age." The girl's face brightened and she giggled.
"What's your name?" Darien asked as the girl took a seat in Serena's lap again.
"Sirnenety!" She said. She giggled again and then added, "Mommy calls me Chibi Chibi."
Serena couldn't help but smile. "That's my name too!" She laughed when the little girl looked up at her knowingly.
"I knew dat!" Her bubbly voice filled the whole room and made everyone smile.
"Where are your parents?" Darien asked carefully.
Chibi Chibi thought it over for a second. "Fur.. fu... futir!" She yelled. They scouts looked at her as though she were crazy. "Ahhh! Chibi!" She screamed as she hid her face in Serena's clothes.
Serena stroked Chibi's hair so she would calm down. She noticed that the others were still looking at her. "Guys!" She told them to stop looking. Chibi calmed down. "Chibi, are your parents from the future?"
"Ah huh." Chibi smiled and snuggled into Serena. Soon the little girls breathing evened out. She had fallen asleep.
"You can take her into my room to sleep." Rei offered.
Serena got up cradling Chibi to her chest. Darien followed her out of the room. He open the door to Rei's room so Serena could lay Chibi down on the bed. She gently covered her with a blanket. Darien sat down on the edge of the bed.
"She looks so peaceful." Serena commented. She smiled as Chibi's small form curled into a little ball.
Darien smiled. He really liked this picture. He could just see Serena with their child, putting him or her to bed. He held Serena's hand and stroked it with his thumb. "Serena, have I told you today that I love you?"
She smiled coyly, "Not yet."
He kissed her on the lips.
"I don't know if we should do this, my boyfriend might find out." She joked, "He gets very jealous."
Darien chuckled lightly and kissed her again, "Then maybe we'll have to keep it a secret. What your boyfriend doesn't know won't hurt him."
"Hmm..." She kissed him.
Chibi opened her eyes slightly and smiled at her parents. She closed her eyes again and fell into a sleep filled with dreams of cotton candy and bunnies...
~And that's all for now! If you couldn't already tell, we like Chibi Chibi more than Rini, so she is now their daughter. There is no Rini! Muahahaha... *Cough* *Cough* Until next time!~