Hello. I have lifted the hiatus from this story. I got my focus back and churned out another chapter. I'm sorry to all of you who have been waiting for this chapter, but writing about romance is very difficult. And I wanted to have a story that is evenly written from start to finish. So enough of the chatter, you've waited long enough! Thank you for reading and please review!
Can Love That's Lost Be Found
By Crystaldove
Chapter 11
Serena walked into class and nodded to Miss H. She looked at her student and noticed that her disposition had slightly improved. Serena took her seat by the window and was surprised to see flowers growing around the still. Several baby birds also perched themselves on the still and kept her company. Paladin watched the princess from his perch and with his mind-link to Darien was able to let him see what he was seeing. He noted that there was a change in her now common despondent appearance.
"So you have convinced Darien to try to win Serena's heart this time. How is he going to do that?"
Mina had told Andrew of what transpired after her talk with Darien yesterday.
"I don't know, he is so complex and Serena is in such deep emotional pain. He said that he wants to romance her…whatever that means, by his standards."
"Well I did see him walking her to school today. She didn't run from him if that indicates anything."
"It's a start, I want to help, but then again, Darien needs to do this on his own."
"Uh Mina, school isn't out yet, how come you're here?"
"Huh, oh well, I cut my last period. How else could I tell you this undisturbed and unseen?"
"It's not like no one knows about this breakup Mina. But I guess I understand your…uh reasoning."
"I knew you would Drew!"
The school bells sounded signaling the end of the day, for those who 'didn't' cut their last periods. Serena walked alone, as her now normal practice. She didn't notice Paladin flying above her, but she did notice the return of the flowers that mirrored her steps and pooled around her feet when she stopped.
Darien had left his university's campus earlier than usual to meet Serena. She was so intent she was on walking that she didn't notice him approach her.
"Good afternoon Serena. How are you today?"
"Huh, oh Darien…I'm ok."
"Are you sure, you seem to be thinking about something."
Serena stared wide-eyed at him for a moment before looking down and remember the flowers at her feet.
"Do you know about these flowers Darien, they follow me wherever I go."
"They are drawn to you, not that I can blame them, you have that way with everything."
"Why did you say that?"
"Because one thing of beauty deserves another."
Darien held up his hand and a few birds landed in his palm.
"Even the creatures of my planet are entranced by you."
The birds flew out of his palm and landed on her shoulders and outstretched hands.
"Darien why…"
"Shh, let me treat you to a sundae."
He placed his hand on the side of her face silencing anything else she had to say. Surprised by his tender action, she let him blindly lead her to Crown.
Mina looked up from her conversation with Andrew to notice the very pair they were discussing heading their way.
"Look Andrew, there they are…together."
Andrew looked up and smiled. Hoping that things would be for the best, he excused himself from Mina to attend to his other customers.
"I don't know about this Darien…I should just go."
"Please Serena, stay I'm not trying anything. I just want us to be friends. Let's have a sundae and then you can go."
"Ok, but don't try anything or I'm gone."
Darien led them to private booth in the back of the fruit parlor and ordered a super hot fudge sundae with two spoons. When their order arrived Serena looked incredulously at Darien.
"Um Darien, I don't eat 'that' much."
"This is for both of us, we are going to share." He said handing her a spoon. "Come on, you can have the cherry."
She timidly took the spoon from his hands and slowly began to eat.
"So Serena, how are things with you and Sammy?"
"Better I guess. He doesn't bug me like he used to. I think my parents finally talked to him or something."
"That's great. How is your um father?"
"He's a lot quieter now. I mean he only fusses once a day, which is a vast improvement from the many times he used to."
By the time the sundae was finished, Darien found out there was a lot about Serena he didn't know. She was the one who would ask these types of questions about him. And if he found out anything, it was because she volunteered the information.
He knew he loved her, her smile, her personality, her kindness, the way she would look at him and comfort him when he was feeling low. He loved the way she would touch his face before giving in to her desire to kiss the life out of him.
Darien was brought out of his thinking by the constant calling of his name.
"Darien, it's getting late. I need to go home."
"Uh ok let me walk you."
"No that's alright. Thanks for the sundae."
"Your welcome. Uh can I see you again?"
"I don't know Darien, maybe."
Serena stood and waved goodbye to Darien and then to Andrew and left the arcade. As soon as she left, Andrew and Mina quickly rushed to Darien's booth and began to pump him for information.
"How did it go?"
"How did you get her here?"
"Does this mean you two are back together?"
"Whoa! One question at a time. I met her on the way here. I learned about her; things I never knew. And last, no we aren't back together.
While Darien was talking to Andrew and Mina, the others entered the arcade.
"Hey girls, you will never guess what just happened."
Mina said while sliding down to give the others room to sit.
"What."
"Darien and Serena just finished their first date!"
"Really, that's great! So how did it go?"
'Here we go again.' Darien thought as he realized that he would have to tell the newcomers everything all over again.
Serena didn't have to head home. Since her breakup with Darien, her parents have been urging her to spend more time with her friends. Usually she would do some research at Central until her curfew, but today she was going to take their advice. She walked towards the shrine thinking the others were there. She hadn't seen the others since training this morning when she decided to cancel the afternoon exercise since they had done very well.
Raye's grandfather told her that the others had went to the arcade and she returned to find them. She secretly hoped that Darien had left, she didn't think she could handle seeing him again. She walked back inside Crown and heard Raye laughing in the back.
'Their here with Darien? What's going on?'
Serena leaned closer and heard Darien telling the girls and Andrew about their date. She scrunched her nose in confusion.
'Why is he telling the others about earlier?'
"Well that's a good start Darien, when are you going to tell her what happened?"
"I told her a little about what happened this morning."
"How did she handle it."
"I don't know, she is still closed off to me."
"Well what do you expect. It's going to take her some time to open up and reveal her feelings to you."
Serena need to process this information. She knew her friends were worried about her, but she felt betrayed to an extent. Everyone knew why Darien had broken up with her. He had given her a vague explanation that she had not had time to process. Now the revelation that her friends knew and had for some time saddened her.
She once again left the parlor, but was seen leaving by Amy. Amy excused herself and went to follow her outside.
"Wait up Serena."
Serena turned and saw Amy advancing towards her.
"We were looking for you."
"How long have you known?"
"Known what?"
"Known about Darien…about why he broke up with me?"
"Uh…"
"That long huh? So all of you have known the reason why I've been in pain and neglected to tell me."
"It's not like that Serena. He was suffering so, drowning in his guilt. We reached out to him…helped him because we knew he still loved you. And if we could help, we would be making you happy again."
"You don't understand."
Serena said walking away. Amy wanted to know what she was talking about, weren't they helping her? They were putting in so much time to help Darien so Serena would be happy again.
"Put yourself in my shoes Amy. 1000 years ago I was madly in love with Endymion. He was killed protecting me and in my guilt, my grief…I killed myself with his very sword. My mother could have healed me but knew I would be in despair without him. So she granted us… all of us a chance to be reborn so our love could exist unhindered. I found all of you…I found my love. We were reborn with new identities and a new chance at life. Darien and I didn't get along… I had a crush on him from the moment I looked into his stormy blue eyes; but he detested me. Then I found out I was Sailor Moon and was swept away by Tuxedo Mask. Whenever he saved me, I used to wish it were Darien. So imagine my surprise and joy to find out it was he the entire time. Then we remember who we were and he was taken from me. We defeated Metallia and my wish for normalcy was misconstrued and we once again became strangers."
" I had to endure his ridicule and scorn when he didn't remember me. I had to watch as he became close with Ann and watched him as he was almost killed due to her jealousy. He finally remembered our past and was looking forward to our future…then he tells me that he doesn't love me. That I am not who I used to be. That he loves Serenity and since I favored her…his feelings were given to me. And now you tell me that you knew, that all of you knew why I have been in pain for the past few months and you didn't tell me because you were helping him get over his guilt because he loves me?"
Serena started Amy squarely in her eyes. Amy saw the hurt and raw emotion that swam in those blue orbs. In their attempt to help Serena, they neglected to relieve her pain. Everyone was sure that all Darien had to do was romance her to win her back; no one remembered that she was never told the entire truth. She didn't know why Darien left her.
"Oh god Serena, we thought he only had to prove his love for you. That is you not Serenity he loves."
"I know Darien doesn't love Serenity. How can he love a figment of his imagination, someone he has never met? But why couldn't he tell me what was wrong?"
"He thought you wouldn't understand…"
"That I am too immature to understand the pain he was going through. That I am incapable of thinking like an adult and wouldn't have been able to grasp the bigger issue."
"No Serena that's not it!"
"Are you sure?"
"He was trying to protect you; he didn't want to hurt you."
"He didn't want to hurt me? What the hell do you think he did? You say he loves me, if he really loved me he wouldn't have put me through emotional hell! Remember that my heart fuels the crystal. What if there was an attack that required its use? His little 'protection' would have gotten me killed. He told me that he abandoned me because he loved me…I didn't say anything then. He said that he was scared that I would have gotten hurt if he got too close. Couldn't he have told me that? He has always been my strength…but I guess I'm not good enough to be his."
"He was having dreams Serena, horrible dreams where you would die because he was with you. We found out that subconsciously that he didn't accept his destiny as easily as you did. We also found the part of him that protects his past, which shielded him from the pain of losing his parents. So we were helping him to accept his identity. And we're helping him to become a stronger warrior. All so he can protect you."
"You are still missing my point Amy. I'm glad that he is coming to terms with his destiny. I'm glad that he is becoming a stronger warrior and that you found the part of him that protects his past. But I have dreams too. Dreams that I am an inadequate warrior, that my mother is ashamed of whom I have become. Dreams where everyone I love is killed. And I dream…of the day that I lost my home, my family, my friends and my love. But did I abandon you; did I make you feel worthless, did I make you feel like your nightmares had become reality? No…I cherished every moment I had with him…just in case my dreams came true. And you know what…they did."
"Serena…I didn't know."
"And you never would have. Yeah I may have cried about menial things, but I am a princess, heir to the throne of the Silver Millennium. I have to be strong, and if that meant putting on fake smiles and joking…it was my duty. It was only until I lost my strength, my rock did I falter and my emotions showed through."
Serena noticed that the others had left Crown and were heading in their direction. She nodded curtly to Amy and left. Raye called out to her several times but Serena kept walking.
"What's going on Amy, you look horrible?"
Amy turned and wiped the tears that had fallen down her face. She noticed that Darien was with them and really didn't want to tell the others with him around.
"It had something to do with me Amy?"
"Yes it did Darien. I don't think I can say it though."
The others looked at Darien with worry. For as upset as Amy was, they knew whatever she had to say would not be good.
"I can handle it."
"Are you sure Darien because I couldn't handle it."
She saw him nod to continue and she gave them a shortened version of what happened.
"I think Serena overheard us talking. She asked how long we knew about the real reason for the breakup."
Amy saw Mina's eyes widen. They had discussed this fact when they first started working with Darien. Luna had assured them that Serena had found some project that was occupying her time at Central and wasn't too concerned. But mentioned that on several occasions Serena was trying to reach them and no one could be found.
"She is glad that we are helping you with your issues concerning your destiny Darien. She is also pleased that you are training with us to become stronger."
"You're stalling Amy…just tell me what she said."
"She said in your attempt to protect her from your fears…you could have gotten her killed. That she has dreams too. She described things that make yours seem like a pleasant memory. While you dreamt only of her, she would dream of all of us, Queen Serenity and the fall of the Silver Millennium. She dreamt of us dying, of her failing as a warrior and yes Darien, she dreamt of you leaving her."
"Why didn't she tell me?"
"Why didn't you tell her?"
"I didn't think she would understand."
"I defended you and she was right. She said that you think of her as a child, incapable of understanding anything of importance, like a conversation or relationship. She said that you were her strength…her rock, without you her heart was in shambles and if there was a crisis…the crystal would have been useless. She wished that you would depend of her like she did on you. We were so convinced that the problem was that you didn't express your feelings for her. We never thought about telling her the truth…not that abridged version you gave her."
"She doesn't trust you Darien. How can she when you view her as a child? For that matter, how can she trust us?"
"What are you saying Amy?"
"She's saying that what we did was no better than what Darien did Lita. We think of her as being so fragile that she wouldn't have been able to understand the truth. So we just covered it up to protect her…acted like it never happened and hoped she would forget all about it. Then she could reunite with Darien and move on…"
While everyone was listening to Mina, Amy noticed how pale Darien's face had gotten. She knew he was in shock but there was nothing she could do. Now they had a bigger problem on their hands…how to regain Serena's trust?
Mina called an emergency meeting that night with Luna and Artemis and informed them on what happened. Andrew was in attendance as well and realized that everyone knew what the problem was except the person who was directly involved. Luna felt the most guilty since she had watch her ward in the moments where she revealed her true grief. Mina felt that she should have sensed those feelings too but realized she was too attuned to Darien to notice the underlining emotions that Serena felt. Raye expressed as Serena's closest friend that she should have picked up on those emotions in her daily meditation.
"If Serena wanted us to know how she was feeling, she would have told us." Lita responded. "Remember how amazed we were when we found out how well of a fight she is and how she can do things we can only dream of. Luna, remember how you were telling us about how she was working on the computers at Central like she created them or something. There are a lot of things about her we just don't know. Either she didn't tell us or we failed to notice them. She watched all of us die…twice, but did we ever think of the effect that had on her? Did any of you see if she was ok after we regained our memories? She's a lot stronger than any of us give her credit for."
Up until this point Darien hadn't said anything. He thought that Amy was being dramatic and never would have guessed what she told them.
"I'm sorry everyone. Not only have I ruined the trust she had in me, I have ruined the trust she had in you. I wanted to tell her, I wanted to draw off her strength…but I didn't think she would have understood. She would have fought to keep us together…she would have fought. I'm the one who gave up on her…she never would have given up on me. Thank you for what you've done for me, but it appears to have been in vain. Serena will never take me back now."
"Darien don't say that! You can't give up!"
"I gave up when I let my fears control me and let her go…thank you for helping me. Here Luna." He said handing her his communicator. "Change this back to the original. It's not fair for me to know when she transforms. I had that ability once and lost it because I didn't trust her."
"Darien you can't me that, what if she needs you?"
"Does she really need me now? She's drawing on her own strength; she doesn't need mine. I must go; I'll see you girls later. Andrew, I'll see you after class tomorrow."
Andrew and the others watched as he grabbed his coat and left. Checking his watch, Andrew noticed how late it was and bid the others good night.
"What are we going to do now?"
"What can we do. If anything we've made things worse."
"Mina!"
"Serena doesn't trust us or Darien. All of us view her as a fragile child. Things have gone from bad to worse."
"So what are we going to do?"
"Nothing…we have given Darien all the help he needs. He knows what his problem is and has to figure out how to solve it. We have our own problem. We have to show Serena that we care for her and respect her. And we must prove to her that we view her as our peer not just a princess whom we protect."
End chapter
Well I hope that satisfied your craving for an angsty-romance. Now if you are patient, the next installment of 'A Tangent in the Future' is due out in the next few days. Please click on my name to read my other stories and I hope you enjoyed this chapter and send me many reviews!
Dove
