Chapter 2: Letting Go
By- DreamHeart
AN - 'A Fallen Rose' has under gone some revisons. I added some stuff and got rid of others to make it juicier. Tell me what you think.
DISCLAIMER - I do not own Sailor Moon or any of its characters BUT I do own the story! Remember plagerism is bad!
Serenity watched as Endymion was led away by the two guards.Have I lost everything? she wondered.
Serenity walked about her daughter's room. The once bright and cheerful room was now cold and desolate. All the blissful memories that had been shared here . . . had been scattered to the wind by this heinous crime.
She stopped when realization finally hit her.I can't stay here . . . it's too painful. Serenity opened the French doors that led to the balcony and walked out. She let the sweet gentle breeze envelope her. What is there left to live for? My only child is dead and if Endymion is found guilty . . . he will be too.
Then someone from behind placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"Sere, are you ok?" Raye inquired.
Turning towards her best friend, Serenity snapped, "Do I look ok to you, Raye? I'm standing in the room in which my daughter was brutally murdered. I can walk across the room and see my faceless child. I can cry into her bloodstained sheets . . . and yet nothing within my power will bring back my beautiful little angel. So, how do you think I am, Raye?!"
"Sere I..... you've been here long enough, why don't you come with me?," Raye whispered, as she began to direct her friend to the door.
"No! I cannot and will not leave her. The reason . . . the reason she is dead . . . is because I left her." I have all this power and I didn't know that my baby was in danger. What type of mother am I? With that thought an immense wave of sadness and guilt washed over Serenity. The tears began to fall once more from her sapphire eyes and she ran back into the bedroom. Holding Rini in her arms, she sobbed, " Rini, baby, wake up. Please wake up for mommy. I can't live without you. Damn you, Selene! Why didn't you save my baby?! Why wasn't I strong enough to save you? I'm so sorry, Rini . . . you deserved a better mother . . ."
"Serenity, you can't do this to yourself. Rini wouldn't want this. Endymion still needs you and so does Rini. She needs you to find her murderer, so she can find peace . . . so you both can find peace."
"I can't leave her . . . that's why . . . I will stay by her side. Leave us, Queen Raye, or I shall have the guards remove you from my daughter's room."
"As you wish, but I shall return with the rest of your court shortly." And with that Raye reluctantly left the distraught queen with her child.
As she walked away, Raye breathed, "I hope you'll be all right, Sere." Then she listened to the quiet click of her heels against the marble floor. And looking down at her dress she realized that red was not appropriate at such tragic time. Taking a deep breath Raye closed her eyes and a ribbon of fire surrounded her. In a moment Raye was no longer dressed in her red satin gown but in a form fitting black velvet spaghetti strap dress with black heels.
Quiet sobs and whispers could be heard all throughout the palace. It made her feel like crying. Keep it together, Raye, Serenity needs you . . . and your godchild needs to find peace . . .
"Your majesty?" a servant called.
"Yes, Luna, what can I do for you?" Raye smiled through her tears.
"Is Neo-Queen Serenity going to be all right? Do you think that there is anything I can do for her? She's like a daughter to me."
"Bring her something to eat Luna, she needs her strength. And when you get a chance, please have the servants to change the decorations to black."
"As you wish, Queen Raye." Just as Luna was about to leave a gentle hand on her shoulder stopped her.
"And Luna," Raye continued, "take care, and try not to worry."
With that Luna nodded, curtsied and left.
After this conversation the grief completely overwhelmed Raye. After all, she had been Rini's godmother. Out of all of Serenity's friends, the Royal family of Mars had spent the most time with the Royal family of the Moon, especially with Rini. Whenever Endymion and Serenity had to take a trip to another planet, Rini was often left in her care. In fact, Raye's daughter, Diana, had become Rini's best friend. Thinking of these memories hurt Raye deeply. And it took all the strength she could muster just to reach the throne room.
All of the other queens jumped to their feet as she entered. They had been eagerly waiting for news of Serenity's well being. Even though they were members of her court, they were also Serenity's closest and dearest friends.
"Raye, what's wrong?!" Mina implored, fearing the worst.
"No, nothing's wrong with Serena . . . she's ok. There's just so much blood . . . Rini didn't deserve to die," Raye murmured through her tears.
"Don't worry, Raye, the murderer will be caught. He probably was careless about something . . . and that'll lead us to him. I mean the chances of him actually committing the perfect murder . . ." Amy observed, but fell silent after she saw the glare that Lita was giving her.
Then Lita stood up and walked over to Raye. She gave her a hug and began to stroke Raye's thick black hair. "How is Sere doing?"
"Not good. Not good at all. She refuses to leave Rini's side.
She feels so guilty for leaving Rini. I don't think that she believes there is
any reason left to live. And who could blame her . . . her only child is dead,
and her husband is charged with her murder. I think that I'd feel the same way
if anything ever happened to Diana."
"Do you think that she'll allow Rini to be buried? Surely, she'll consent to that, right?" Mina wondered aloud.
"I don't think so. Her guilt is tremendous. You have to see her and talk to her to understand."
"Then let's go see her right now," Lita chimed in.
"Do you really think that is wise?" Amy inquired.
"Let's give her until morning. She needs time to grieve and be alone. But I want a guard at Rini's door and one at the balcony. Just for her safety," Raye murmured.
"Ok. I shall send word to our families that we shall be staying at the Moon Kingdom for some time. Raye, is there anything that you want me to tell Chad and Diana?" Mina asked.
"Just tell Chad I love him and to give Diana a hug and kiss for me. You can tell him what happened, but I don't want Diana to know just yet."
"As you wish, I shall inform the guards of their new positions"
And with that Mina left. Sere, please don't do anything . . . during the
night . . .