Hey Everyone: Wow it has been so long and you are all going to be so pissed at me for the length of this. Well I've been playing around with my style of writing and I really wasn't happy with the whole chapter I had before…and that was the chapter that got deleted off my computer and I had to re-write. So this is the fourth attempt at this chapter…it just doesn't seem like the muses want to inspire me. Anyway I just thought I would post this little chapter…get all your opinions on the different style…and hopefully get on with the story. Thank you everyone for your patience…and thank you even to all you out there who kept sending a little ass kick telling me to post soon!! Hope you enjoy the next chapter.
"What? Are you happy to see me?" Serena focused on the pink haired little girl standing in front of her. A giggle escaped her lips as she dropped to the floor, her arms held open. Rini ran forward and threw herself into Serena's arms, nuzzling her neck. Serena gasped as a tear ran down her face, standing as she pulled Rini further into her embrace. She almost couldn't believe it. Serena never imagined that she would get to hold Rini in her arms again; especially after today. Serena sighed as she felt Darien wrap his arms around her. She couldn't contain her sobs as she cried in the safety of Darien's arms, with Rini in hers. She had given up on this; given up on her future. Now she wouldn't have one. Of course, Serena believed with everything inside her that Darien would do whatever he could to get her heart crystal back, but who knew how long that would take? Or how long Darien's energy would sustain her? Serena could almost feel her heart breaking as she cursed her stupidity.
"I don't think I've ever seen such a perfect family." Serena looked up; ready to rip apart whomever it was that would mock her anguish. Her gaze softened when she looked into the sympathetic eyes of Sailor Pluto. If anyone could know how Serena had felt, it would have been Sailor Pluto, Serena was sure of it. She wondered whether she would have made the same decision Serena had in that particular situation. Sailor Pluto at least knew what it was like to have her entire existence set out for her. Unfortunately, Sailor Pluto's was a life of isolation.
"Sailor Pluto, how have you been?" Serena asked politely, brushing away all traces of tears. She glanced down; noticing the look of concern Rini was giving her. Serena flashed a smile, praying it was calm her fears. Rini smiled back and rested her head against Serena's shoulder once more. Serena, resisting the urge to sigh in relief, turned back to Sailor Pluto.
"I'm sorry I couldn't visit on more pleasant terms, but we must discuss the situation at hand." Sailor Pluto said. Serena snuck a glance at Rini when her grip on her shoulders tightened.
"What situation?" Darien questioned. Rini shuddered against Serena and raised her head.
"Mommy is sick." Rini whispered. Serena kissed her forehead, offering her whatever comfort she could so that Rini may continue.
"It happened just today," Rini continued, "Mommy collapsed in the gardens. Daddy made her go to bed, but she gets really sleepy whenever he isn't around. He called in the doctor, but he said there wasn't anything wrong with her physically. We don't know what's wrong…" Rini trailed off as the tears began to flow. Serena caught Darien's gaze, and fought down the feeling of helplessness. She murmured comforting sounds to Rini, rocking her gently until Rini calmed. It was all her fault; her one moment of weakness was going to cost Rini her mother and there was nothing she could do. Serena swallowed the scream of frustration threatening to escape and turned to Rini once more.
"Daddy said that we should come back here and see if anything happened to you. That maybe something from the past was affecting the future. But you're okay, aren't you Serena?" Rini sniffed, looking up at Serena. Sailor Pluto stepped forward.
"Now Small Lady, there is something-"Serena silenced Sailor Pluto with a look and turned back to Rini.
"Of course I'm alright Rini. Do you really think that Sailor Moon could ever get hurt?" Serena asked softly. Rini shook her head, smiling proudly.
"No…you can't ever get hurt. You are a superhero. Plus, Darien would never let anything happen to you." Rini stated firmly, looking over at Darien. Serena followed her gaze and met Darien's sad eyes. Serena smiled slightly, wishing she had believed that earlier today.
"You're right Rini. Darien would protect me no matter what. Now I'll tell you what. You go lie down and sleep in Darien's room tonight, while Sailor Pluto, Darien and I try to figure out what is wrong with your mommy." Serena suggested, watching as Rini tried to stifle a yawn.
"But I'm not sleepy…" Rini said. Serena smiled at how stubborn Rini was. She wondered if she would ever marvel at the girl that was her future daughter again. Serena laughed quietly to herself as Rini placed her head on Serena's shoulder, falling asleep almost instantly. Serena looked towards Darien, who smiled gently, and took her hand, leading her to the bedroom. Reluctantly, Serena released Rini from her arms, placing her gently under the covers. She turned back to Darien, and they made their way towards the door.
"Love you Serena. Love you Darien." Rini whispered. Serena turned back to the bed, and smiled when she saw Rini looking up at her through sleep filled eyes. She made her way over to her, kissing her gently on the forehead.
"I love you too Rini. Goodnight small lady." Serena murmured. Darien pulled her gently back towards the door and pulled it shut.
"Goodnight Rini." He called before the door closed. Serena stood, leaning against the wall, trying to pull herself together. Her eyes fluttered shut as she tried to clear her mind of all her doubts. Rini would be a part of her life. She would make sure of that. There was no way she would allow her daughter to go back to a future where she would have no mother, or worse, to disappear all together. Serena took a deep breath and opened her eyes to find Darien looking at her with concern.
"I'm fine." Serena stated, answering the question in his eyes. She smiled slightly and linked hands with him.
"Let's go figure out a way to save our future."
She could feel their confusion, even before Darien and she entered the room. The five generals sitting beside the scouts all with a puzzled look upon their faces looked to Darien and she for the answers. Serena sighed as she took her seat beside Darien, holding his hand. God how she wished she had those answers. She looked over at Darien, begging him to take the lead. She didn't have the strength to explain everything that had happened with the Dark Moon. Darien nodded, kissing her softly before turning back to the group.
"Well, you are probably wondering why we asked you to come here. Last night, we got a visit from some old friends and they have made us aware of some new problems." Darien began. Serena turned as she heard the bedroom door opened. She nudged Darien, drawing his attention to the new presence in the room.
"But first, I want to introduction the generals to someone." Darien smiled. Rini ran up and Serena smiled as Darien pulled her into his lap.
"Guys, this is Rini. She is Serena and my daughter-" Darien started. Serena realized the mistake in Darien's phrasing almost immediately. She looked over at the generals, praying they would let Darien finish. A knot developed in her stomach when she realized that Andrew was already on his feet. She barely had time to pull Rini into her arms as Andrew's fist connected with Darien's face.
"You're really something aren't you? So tell me, did you force Serena into something she wasn't ready for? Or is it someone else's?" Andrew yelled as he continued to hit Darien. Serena was in a state of shock, not understand how it was that Andrew was coming to such conclusions. She placed Rini on the couch and ran to Darien's side.
"Andrew, you don't understand. She's from the-"Serena started, trying to pull Andrew off Darien.
"Stop trying to defend him Serena. Did you forgive him already for the past months? What did he say? That he was so sorry, that he really does love you? And just like that he gets a brand new start?" Andrew yelled furiously, pushing Serena away. Serena could feel herself growing weak. She knew she needed to make contact with Darien soon. Serena looked towards the other generals, knowing they were the only ones strong enough to pull Andrew away. They were just sitting, calmly as the scouts ran to Darien's aid. How could they believe such things? How could they even think that Darien would force her to do such things? That he would betray her in such a fashion? Serena felt her anger rising and she rushed forward, pushing the distraught scouts out of the way. With strength she didn't know she possessed, she ripped Andrew away, throwing him to the other generals.
"How dare you! How dare you sit there and think such things? How dare you look down on me for forgiving him when you have done the exact same thing with your so called soul mates?" Serena yelled, as Darien pulled himself into a sitting position.
"Can you really blame us? He's hurt you before Serena. He's betrayed your trust before! He's done nothing but hurt you and now you tell us that you have a daughter! How did you think we would react?" Andrew yelled, taking a step forward. The other generals stood and pulled him back.
"Just hear her out Andrew." Chad stated calmly, looking towards Serena with an apologetic look. She raised a hand to her face and realized there were tears streaming down her face. She gasped for air and closed her eyes, trying desperately to calm herself.
"Let me start over. This is Rini, our daughter from the future." Serena said, her voice shaking with effort.
"Darien didn't force himself upon me. He didn't cheat on me. He waited until I was old enough, he married me, and we had a beautiful baby girl." Serena whimpered, as her energy faded.
"Serena…I-"Andrew started, looking towards the floor.
"Shut-up Andrew, I do not want to hear it from you right now. I refuse to sit here and listen to you tell me that I'm weak for taking Darien back! Do you really believe that I'm so pathetic that I would take him back if he just said that he loved me? If there wasn't something else there? Yes he hurt me, and yes he betrayed me, but he has proven himself to him and shown that he is worth the second chance. Can you say the same about your situations?" Serena hissed, shooting a glare at the scouts. She knew that she had to calm down, but she couldn't help it. It felt so good just to get this all out. To scream out every thought, every doubt that had been used against her to get her heart crystal. She could feel her energy slipping but she couldn't stop herself.
"Serena-" Mina started.
"What did they tell you? That they didn't want to endanger you; that you wouldn't understand? That they hating keeping secrets from you? Did you not find those excuses to be reason enough to forgive them? Then don't sit there and comment on my weakness!" Serena almost screamed. Darien stood.
"Serena…you need to calm-"
"I'm sorry that you can't forgive Darien yet. I really am. I feel the same way even." Serena glanced coldly over at the scouts. "But don't take your frust-"
And with that, her world tumbled into darkness.
Author Note: Let me know what you think…just press that little button that makes all authors so very happy.