Crimson Moon : Part Three
By: SalrAnime
The third part in this series, I really don't know what's going to happen, and I kind of write these fics as I go, but I hope you like it anyway. Normal disclaimers apply.
Serena laid awake on her back waiting for Shukoroshi to return, and give her answers to all the questions that relentlessly assaulted her mind. 'Darien said that Shukoroshi would tell us what was going on, but what if something happened to him, he should have been back by now.' She rose from her bed unable to sleep. She quietly made her way out into the den where Darien was looking out of a large window as if he expected Shukoroshi to magically appear at any moment. Darien looked at her as she stepped into the room.
"Couldn't sleep?"
"No, what about you?"
"I...I find myself being a bit of a night owl lately" He turned his attention back to the night sky.
"Oh" Sarena sighed.
"Shukoroshi should have been back by now, I wonder what's keeping him"
"Actually, that's why I couldn't sleep"
Darien turned to her slightly puzzled.
"He did help you save me, and he obviously knows what's going on, what happens if he doesn't come back, and we never find out by whom or what we're in danger?"
Darien felt sympathetic for the girl standing in front of him. He looked at her intensely, searching for a way to calm her.
"He'll be back, I know he will" Darien was rewarded with a small smile.
"I'm glad you have faith in me" Serena and Darien both turned suddenly, to see the man they had been hoping would return.
"How did you get in here?"
Shukoroshi slowly walked to Serena, ignoring Darien's question, and pulling Serena's chin up slightly, to force her sky blue eyes to meet his green ones.
"What are you?" She breathed softly has his gave seemed to make her feel cloudy. Almost as if she was in a dream.
"Can't you see it?" Suddenly, she could see...something? His eyes seemed so old, older than any human should live.
"You're not human"
Serena took a step back in shock. Shukoroshi smiled, almost bemusedly at her fear. Darien, who was standing where he had been before frowned deeply. He knew it was irrational, but when Shukoroshi touched Serena, he couldn't help but feel...jealous?
"Sit down, both of you, and I'll tell you everything" Shukoroshi gestured to the black suede couch in Darien's den.
Serena and Darien both sat on a couch in the den and waited to here Shukoroshi's story.
"A very long time ago, before any ancient civilization that is now known to man was ever born, in a time when the Earth and all it's magic's where still young, there was a civilization only hinted at in legend"
FLASH BACK
In a field of white and yellow flowers, two brothers walked, talking and chattering gleefully.
"Are you coming to the festival today, it'll be lot's of fun"
They were twins; both having silky black hair, and green eyes. They were around the same height, but one was slightly taller than the other, but they were both tall, both were young, not being older than 21, but not being younger than 18. The young women in their village regarded them both as the most beautiful men in the area, but they still were not as handsome as the Prince.
"Come on, you never go to any of the festivals!"
"Shukoroshi, why is it that you can never except "no" from me?"
"Come on, please" His brother pleaded with him.
The older brother smiled and with a large sigh, said yes.
"Great, now we have to find something to wear?"
"What!?" Shukoroshi yelled loudly as his younger brother took his arm and dragged him to an unknown place.
"Come on Shigo!"
End of Flashback
"You see, the brothers had lost their parents at a young age, and grew up having no one else but each other, they had always cared for each other, no one else had ever taken care of them, it was always only the two....until she came along. "
Flashback
Loud music filled the air as people danced underneath a crystal clear sky twinkling with thousands of lights. The two brothers sat underneath a tree gazing at the people before them.
"I knew I shouldn't have come"
"It isn't that bad Shigo, you're just picky"
"I will not dance with that rude woman just because you think I should!"
Shigo looked at a tall thin girl with long red hair who obviously thought she should have the attention of every man in the room. She slowly walked to Shigo once more.
"Have you come to your senses yet? You should feel privileged to dance with a woman as beautiful as I..."Shigo said nothing.
"Very well then, I'll dance with your brother"
She took Shukoroshi's hand and began leading him away, but turned abruptly when she realized that he was not following her. When she looked at him, she saw both brothers starring at something in the distance.
"What are you two starring at!?"
She turned to see a girl with long blond hair, blue eyes and a crescent moon adorning her forehead walking down a flight of stairs leading from the castle. She was perfect.
"You think she's more beautiful than me!?"
The brothers ignored her.
"She isn't even cute, besides you do know who she is don't you?"
The brothers were instantly interested.
"No, who is she?"
"Princess Serenity, of the moon kingdom" The two men's eyes light up with a new sense of understanding.
"I had heard of her beauty, but I never thought..."
"Yes, she is enchanting" Shukoroshi finished.
The red headed girl angrily let go of Shukoroshi's hand.
"It's forbidden for the people of the moon, and the people of Earth to be together, you have no chance with her, so I was clearly the better choice, but I see now neither of you are worthy of my time" She stated angrily, before DRAMATICLY stomping off, however, her dramatic departure was spoiled by no other but the woman she previously spoke of.
"A young lady should not speak with such contempt" Her voice was soft and sweet, and somehow full of royal command.
The young women turned around, and instantly bowed.
"forgive my insolence your majesty"
"Do not apologize to me, you should be apologizing to these fine men"
The girl rose to her feet apologizing to the men she had just insulted. Humiliated she walked away too ashamed to raise her head.
"She was a very rude girl!"
The Princess turned to see the men bowing before her.
"Oh, please, stand up, there is no need to bow" The princess stated waving her hands as if to say that isn't necessary.
The men stood and looked into her smiling face stunned by everything about her.
"Your...your highness, would you like to dance?" Shigo nervously asked the goddess that stood before him.
Shukoroshi looked at his brother shocked, and was even more surprised when she accepted his offer. He was shocked again by her kindness when she spoke to him.
"Don't worry, I'll dance with you next"
Her smile warmed both their hearts, and the brothers both loved her.
End Flashback
"They loved her, with all the burning fire of their hearts, but it was not meant to be"
Flashback
"Shigo!"
"Yes, what is it!?"
It was very late at night when Shigo was awakened by his brother calling him.
"I just saw the princess!"
Shigo jumped to his feet.
"WHAT!? Where!?"
"Follow me"
Shigo followed his brother out into a wooded area, not far from the castle. It was there that they saw the princess walking through the woods as if she was in a hurry.
"What is she doing on Earth!?"
"I don't know, maybe she's lost"
"Let's help her"
Shigo began to walk towards her when Prince Endymion stepped out of the shadows in front of the princess; Shigo froze where he was.
"Endymion, I...we shouldn't..."
"I had to see you again, I couldn't breath without hearing your sweet voice again"
"Endymion..."
"Serenity, my love for you is too strong to observe the rules of the gods, I don't care if you're from the moon, and I love you"
Serenity stepped towards Endymion and fell into his arms.
"I love you too, my sweet prince"
End Flashback
"They were heart broken, but the elder brother, he became obsessed, he wanted the princess at any cost, and he somehow drew his younger brother into his scheme"
Flash Back
"Shukoroshi, I've found a way to have her"
"Shigo, it's no use she loves the prince"
"I've found a way to destroy their love"
Shukoroshi followed his brother into a secluded area, and was surprised to see a woman with long red hair step from what seemed like nowhere.
"Shukoroshi, meet Beryl, she is going to help me get the princess"
End Flashback
"Wait, I don't understand if both the brothers were in love with the princess, then why would the other brother help his brother to get her?"
"Well Serena, he loved his brother so much that he didn't care about his own happiness...he would be content to know that he could see her whenever he wanted to"
"That's so sad..."
"Yes it is, but he made the wrong decision, his brother's obsession was becoming dangerous"
Flashback
"Shigo, I don't think we should trust her, I mean why is she helping us?"
"We can help her become known on Earth, after she takes over the Earth, Prince Endymion will have to succumb to her demands, after that, she will take us to the moon, where she will make the Princess mine"
"How is she going to do that?"
"Beryl has powers that we cannot understand...she says once she has the Silver Crystal, she can do anything."
"The Silver Crystal? The people of the moon will never give that up easily"
"No matter, I will help her get what she wants and I will get what I want in return. "
Shukoroshi shakes his head, showing his uneasiness, but he goes along with the plan anyway.
End Flashback
"because of his inability to act, two worlds were destroyed, and both brothers were punished"
Flashback
Prince Endymion is seated holding his beloved Serenity in his arms.
"I tried to tell my people that Beryl was using them, that what she said about the moon people were lies, but none of them would listen to me...my Earth is no longer mine..."
Serenity turns to her lover brushing a strand of dark hair from his face.
"We'll get your world back, I promise I'll fight to protect all you love"
He looked into her kind blues eyes, comforted by the love he saw in them. They kissed passionately on the balcony, when they were interrupted by a horn. They both jumped to their feet.
"What...what is happening!?"
"I don't know Serenity"
"PROTECT THE PRINCESS AND THE QUEEN!!!"
Fire could be seen in the distance. Endymion held Serenity closely, fearing the reason why the guards called for the Princess' protection.
"Guard! What is happening"
"Your Majesty, the kingdom is being attacked you must flee!"
Serenity's screams could be heard by the whole kingdom when she saw the man burst into flames.
"Pretty pretty princess, where is the Silver Crystal?"
"I...who are you!?"
"I am Queen Beryl, of the Negaverse"
Prince Endymion stepped in front of the princess shielding her from any possible attack, Queen Beryl's eyes widened at the sight of the Earthling's beauty.
"You're...exquisite"
"What business do you have here?" Endymion yelled loudly, never stepping away from his beloved Princess.
Beryl smiled and laughed as she attacked the princess, the prince pushed her out of harms way, and they both ran away seeking shelter.
Shukoroshi watched in a hidden place, in horror at the death that Beryl was causing.
"Brother, we must stop her!"
"NO! I will have Serenity"
The brothers watched the struggle before them, one in disgust, and the other in anticipation.
Serenity cried out to Endymion as he left her side to fight the monster before them.
"You are brave Prince of Earth, but you have no chance of winning"
"I must try..."
"Why? Come, be my King and we will rule the world together!" The evil demon Beryl smiled sweetly at the prince of Earth.
"No, I would never give up my only love for a monster like you!"
Beryl grit her teeth in anger.
"I see, it is her that is clouding your judgment"
The brothers watched as Beryl attacked the Princess once again, nearly killing her, but instead, the attack was blocked by another.
Serenity cried as she held her love in her arms. His blood formed a pool in her lap as it left his warm body, leaving a cold shell in it's place.
"Serenity....I will always...be...with...." His last breath left his chest, and Serenity howled loudly in pain. The two brothers watched in horror, as their princess shakily took Endymion's sword in her hands, and with one last hope that maybe she could be happy with her love in the afterlife, she plunged the cold steel of the Earth Prince's sword deep into her heart, ending her own life. Queen Serenity, seeing her daughter die in front of her eyes, gathered all her strength for one last attack with the Silver Crystal. It would kill her, she knew, but if she could somehow save the people she loved, it was worth it, and even if she couldn't...her daughter was the sole reason she lived, and with her daughters death...she no longer had a reason.
The two brothers gazed ahead in agony as their princess died by her lover's side, the shock of Serenity's death turning Shigo's hair snow white. They continued to look on in amazement as the Queen of the moon, sealed away Beryl, and sent all those that had died on the moon to Earth, to be reborn. After the war was over, all was silent on the moon. The brothers came out of hiding, and were startled when a booming voice was heard all around them.
"You two have caused the deaths of many, and have destroyed my people. For this you shall be punished for all eternity! You, Shigo, the one that has caused all this pain for a love that could never be, you will forever walk the Earth, searching for the one who will NEVER love you, and thirsting for the life of all those around you. And you, Shukoroshi, the one who's inaction may have caused the deaths of two worlds, you will also live for an eternity, and will only find rest, when you find the courage to punish the one that has forsaken you. I have spoken"
Flashback
"We were punished by a being higher than our own mythical gods, and we are still being punished to this day"
"You mean, you and Shigo are...
"Yes, we are the two brothers"
"I don't buy this for a second"
Darien rose to his feet in annoyance.
"Princes and princesses, magic and punishment from the gods...it sounds like something from a fairy tale!"
"It isn't, Darien, in fact it is all too real"
"Assuming that you are telling the truth, what does any of this have to do with Serena!?"
"She is the reborn Moon Princess...she is the one my brother has been searching for, for so many years"
Serena gasped, then began to laugh.
"This is a really nice joke you're playing here Dar, but I have to go home now"
She began to walk towards the door when Shukoroshi grasped her arm painfully.
"This isn't a joke, Serena" Serena yelped in pain before pulling her arm away holding it closely to her body.
"And what about you, if you were punished too, then aren't you some sort of monster as well?" She asked angrily, still rubbing her arm.
"No, I was given eternal life, in order to right the wrongs I committed with my inaction, but I am not like my brother"
"Then what about me?" Darien interjected, still unsure of what he had become.
Shukoroshi looked a Darien with a glint of regret in his eyes.
"You would be dead if he realized who you are, you must be a mistake...he thought he could use you to get to her" He stated flatly motioning towards Serena.
"What do you mean? What's happened to Darien?"
"He changed me...into whatever he is that night that we were attacked...I suppose I'm a vampire " Sorrow laced with anger filled his voice as he spoke softly to Serena, as if he were ashamed. Serena fell to her knees weakened by all that was happening around her.
"I...I don't understand...WHY!? Why is all this happening!?"
"Shigo was never meant to pass on his curse, but as the first hundred years went by, he became lonely...his loneliness became evil, and he made a pact with something so ancient it has no name...he made a pact so he could pass on his curse, and have eternal companions, but he's never actually made another one until now..."
"Wha...what is he then!? He is actually a vampire? "
Darien turned around abruptly; closing his eyes when Shukoroshi answered Serena's question.
"He is like my brother...a vampire would be a popular term for them"
"A vampire...?"
"You said I would be dead if he realized who I was, what did you mean?"
"You are Prince Endymion, if my brother had known, he would have crushed you on sight...in his mind you are the only thing standing between him and his princess. "
"Endymion? You're crazy I'm Darien Chiba....D.A.R.I.E.N " He shouted loudly, letting his fear turn into an irrational fury. He knew what he was saying had some truth to it...at least the vampire part was true.
"Am I? The only reason you aren't dead is because he thought he could use you, he..."
"He turned me into this so he could control me, but it didn't work, I know all that, but why didn't it work? "
"It should've worked...but, you are not a normal human"
Serena looked at Darien too overloaded with information to pull herself up from the floor
"You are the Prince of Earth, and therefore have special powers, powers you've always had"
"I don't know what you're talking about" Serena noted that Darien sounded like he was lying when he made his last statement.
"Why do you think you were the only one to survive your parents death" Darien, angered, rose his voice to Shukoroshi.
"How do you even KNOW about my parent's death!?" Shukoroshi smirked at him.
"Did you not just think 'is that how I was able to heal so fast after the accident....it killed my parents, it should have killed me as well.'" His smirked turned into a cocky smile when Darien's eyes widened.
"Mind reading...one perk I did get from this curse." Serena stared on in disbelief and confusion.
"Darien, I don't understand what's going on" She could feel the warm tears spilling over onto her cheeks. She was so afraid and confused, could the story Shukoroshi was telling be true? And if so, who was she really, Serena Tsukino, or some ancient Moon Princess that was in love with Darien of ALL people.
"When I was a child, my parents died in a car accident, I was the only one to survive, but I lost my memories in the process. According to the Doctors, I should have died on impact...they said it was a miracle"
"The only reason you survived, is the same reason why my brother couldn't completely turn you...you can heal yourself, can't you?"
Darien looked up at Shukoroshi in shock. 'How could he possibly know that?'
"Ye....Yes, I've been able to manipulate the energy around me since I was a child, but that has nothing to do with being the Prince of Earth"
"It has everything to do with it! You and Serena both are guardians of two different worlds, but you have been blessed by the Earth with many gifts, which she has not been given, because you are Earth's guardian"
"I don't believe any of this, I'm going to bed..." Darien abruptly turned his attention from Serena and Shukoroshi and walked began to walk to his bedroom.
"It saddens me to see that if my brother had just waited, the love you shared with his princess wouldn't have lasted"
Darien froze. Serena looked up at Shukoroshi, her mind clouded with questions.
"The way you tell the story, she was never his princess." Darien answered over his shoulder, taking Shukoroshi's comment more personally then he probably should have.
"Serena, are you tired?" He asked the shivering blond over his shoulder. She looked exhausted. Her pale skin worried Darien, he knew she needed to rest with all that had gone on, but he didn't want her to leave.
Serena wordlessly shook her head yes. Darien walked to her and helped her back up to her feet, taking her small hand in his larger one, and leading her to his bedroom.
"I'll wake you up in the morning, but you need some rest for now"
"OK" She nodded , and followed his back as he left her in his room alone. She slept restlessly that night needless to say.
"You are in love with her" Shukoroshi followed Darien with curious green eyes. Could this man truly be the reincarnation of Prince Endymion? He definitely had the same ebony hair, and dark blue eyes, but wasn't Endymion and Serenity's love timeless? If he was Endymion, how could he not lover her....if he was truly a man how could he not love her?
"I am not in love with her, ask her yourself, we never get along!" Darien spoke softly as to not wake Serena.
"Yet, you almost died for her the night she was attacked"
"What was I supposed to do, run?"
"Any normal person would have thought more of his own life over that of a person's he did not care for" Darien chuckled softly, then sighed in annoyance.
"I care about her, I just don't love her..."
"One day, you'll loose her, then you will regret your pride fullness, but until then, it would be best if you didn't get too close to her"
"Why?" Darien sighed loudly. What else could this man possibly say to him tonight to make his life any worse.
"As a vampire, everything about you is heightened, your sense of hearing, smell, touch, your...more private impulses, your thirst...if you get too close to her, you could kill her" BINGO! That did it.
"It would never happen, I would NEVER hurt her " Darien stated in denial.
"You don't control the thirst, it controls you, now do as I say, or you will be putting her in danger" Darien thought it over carefully. Nothing was worth hurting her...nothing.
"...I'll do it"
The next morning, Serena woke up to Darien's voice calling her.
"Wha...what time is it?" Serena asked groggily, rubbing the sleep from her eyes.
"It's almost five"
"AM!?" Suddenly anger took over and she frowned deeply.
"Come on, the suns rising in another hour or so, we should get going now...that way, I can sneak you back into your house, and no one will know you were gone last night"
Serena nodded accepting his logic, and groggily stepped from the bed. She rinsed her face off in his bathroom, then they both left for her house.
"Darien, do you think what he said was true?"
"I don't know, but they believe it, so for the time being we must believe it too"
"What about you being a vampire?" He knew that question was going to be next.
"...something has happened to me, that's all I know"
Serena gasped.
"But, if you are then won't you turn to dust when the sun rises!?"
"No, apparently vampires are only weakened by sunlight, not killed by it. Remember, I was at the arcade in the morning"
"Oh, yeah...what about crosses and Holy Water, and..."
Serena fell silent when she noticed Darien smiling at her...enthusiasm.
"What's so funny?" She asked oblivious to the humor in her child like asking of questions.
"Nothing, it's just that you're always so cheerful" He flashed her a genuine smile. One she had only seen when he won one of their arguments.
"What about you, you're always such a jerk, but ever since yesterday..you've been so"
"Hey, meatball head! Don't start worrying about me!"
She smiled at his attempt to be in a lighter mood, she always felt a warm feeling when he smiled, but she didn't quite understand it.
"Are you OK, your hearts beating kind of fast"
Was it? Her heart was beating faster. She wonder for a moment why her heart would begin to race when he smiled at her, but then another question formed. How could he hear her heart beating!? She looked at him surprised, but received no answers in his also surprised face.
"I...I can hear your heart beat..."
"Darien..how?"
"Shukoroshi said my senses would be heightened, but I never thought it would be anything like this..."
They walked the rest of the way in silence, neither of them knowing what could be said to calm the other's fears. When they reached her house, Serena snuck in the back door without making a noise, and up to her room. When she got there, she was surprised to see an expression of anger on her cat's face. She dismissed the vehement look of the cat as a figment of her imagination, and got into her bed for a few hours of sleep, before she had to go to school.
To be continued...
Now you know Shukoroshi's story, I wonder how you like the WHOLE story. I like reading things with complicated plots, but I'm not sure if I'm good at writing them, so if you can give me any feedback at all, it would be appreciated.