Authors' Note:
Hey everyone. Sorry for making you wait. It's been a crazy past few days. Anyways I finally was able to get done with the next chapter. For those of you with questions of this story..I know it is probably confusing. Sorry for that too. It's going to be a little crazy until I can get these next few chapters done...they will explain everything to you I promise! I know you want your questions to be answered..but its really easy if you just wait a bit longer and find out. Secrets will be revealed..its just going to take me time. For some of you that didn't really read through Chapter 3: From the Beginning...I was explaining that the time that this is all taken place after the Sailor Stars left. All the Inner Scouts are in their Senior year of school. Serena lives with Lita because her family left for America. They DO know she is Sailor Moon now. Th Outer Scouts have just disappeared. Everyone is still in their teenage years except Darien and Andrew which are in college. Pretty much everything is like it is in the series up until this point...now I'm sorta switching things around. Yes I do realize it is confusing..but if you hang in there a lil longer then you'll see where I'm getting at in the story. Thank You sooo much for the reviews! Okay here is the next chapter:
Chapter Six: A Gift
Miki arrived at Serena's house at exactly 8 on the dot. Serena spotted him from the window in the living room and smiled. Her friendship with Miki had grown at great deal within the past few weeks. It was almost as if he knew everything about her. From ice cream, to favorite color, to favorite place...but as she grew to like him, she started to wonder about his life. After the phone call this morning, she realized that he knew everything about her, but she knew nothing about him. That was going to have to change, Serena though as she grabbed a light jean jacket. It went along with her blue jean skirt that came a bit above her knees, a pink tank top, and pink flip-flops. She wore her hair down today and curled the ends. A knock came to the door and Serena checked herself in the hall mirror and added a small amount of lip gloss, before answering the door.
"Miki!"
Serena swung the door open and hugged him immediately. Miki laughed at her reaction and found it hard to believe that she was chipper at this time in the morning. The thought of the pervious times he had to be at the palace in the mornings to see his queen growling and snarling before having coffee. This made him chuckle even more and as soon as Serena let go, she looked up at him with an arch eyebrow.
"What?"
"Nothing. Just a thought. Have you had breakfast this morning?"
"Nope, got up, got ready, called you."
"Good, I have this fantastic place outside Tokyo we could go have mouth-watering pancakes and rolls."
Serena didn't waste any time thinking about what Miki had said before she slammed the door and rushed down the stairs. Miki chuckled and followed down the stairs to his blue mustang. When he got in he shook his head.
"You didn't even let me give you this."
At that Miki "magically" made a white, full bloom rose appear. Serena's eyes got wide and then smiled wildly as she took it.
"Aww thank you, Miki. It's soooo beautiful. I love ro-"
Serena stopped herself and another one of those chills ran down her spine. This time she took a moment to study Miki today. He wore jeans as well with a white dress shirt, and his hair in its usual loose ponytail. Serena mentally shook her head and smiled. Why was she always seeing Darien when she saw Miki? It was nonsense, they didn't even look alike. Serena smiled and placed the rose in her lap.
"Come on lets go! I really want to see that surprise of yours!"
Miki shifted into gear and sped out of Tokyo as fast as he could. It began to rain again so the windows were rolled up, Miki smirked to himself. Just as he planned. He looked over at Serena to see she was real comfortable, but thinking too hard. I wonder what she is thinking? This should help her out. Miki pushed the cd button and let the music flow within the exterior of the car. He had recorded the music that helped him meditate while training at the Farfalla Temple. The music was slow and very few beats, mostly played by the piano. It gave off an almost haunting effect that would make anyone think about funerals. As the music played, Serena turned her head to face the rainy weather of Tokyo. The rain always depressed her, now the music made it even more depressing with its slow melodies. She didn't want to tell Miki that, so she sat there quietly and wondered where they were going today.
The drive was long and silent. To Serena, it was an endless road of highway and torture. The music had ended and Serena let out a breath that she didn't know she was holding. Suddenly the air in the car was to thick for her to even think straight. She noticed that Miki had cracked the windows enough for her to breathe in the ocean breeze. The ocean? Serena snapped out of her reverie and looked around at where they were. They passed a sign announcing that it would be another five miles before they reached Yokohama. Serena quickly turned to Miki with a questionable glance. Miki in returned just smiled as if he knew more than he was letting on. The thought of Rei questioning her over and over about hiding something from them all came to mind. Even though she claimed she wasn't, Serena was. She kept the identity of Miki from them, their secret get-away, and the fact that she was slowly slipping out of her own world.
"We're here."
Serena once again snapped back to reality and realized she was staring at Miki. She smiled and nodded then loooked around again at where they were. Miki had parked in a deserted parking lot and got out. She watched him leave then come around her side to open the door. She hesitated getting out because of the rain, but did so anyways. When she did, Miki had opened up a large umbrella for her and smiled. he held out his arm and she grabbed a hold of it. After he secured his car with an automatic lock, they began to walk out of the parking lot.
"Where are we going?"
"You'll see."
"Is this part of my surprise?"
"...Maybe...just wait.."
Serena sighed and gave up on the twenty question game. He wouldn't give out a single hint at where they were going. The entered a park area with a wodden sign pinned to a tree that said " Welcome to Yamashita Park". Serena continued to walk along side of Miki, not trying to wonder too much about where they would go. The passed through many parts of the park with rose gardens. Serena was impressed all that much, especially since this is a usual routine for her and Darien. Miki could see the unsatisifed look that Serena was giving him. He looked down at her and smiled.
"This isn't your surprise..so stop pouting like that..its a horriable look on you. Smiling is much more appealing."
Serena only stuck out her tounge as a response that made Miki roar with laughter. Serena shook her head and gave and threw in a few giggles along with him. Miki stopped suddenly which made Serena stop and look up at him with curiosity.
"Close your eyes."
Closing her eyes, Serena smiled with glee that she could finally recieve her surprise. Miki took out a blind fold and wrapped it around her eyes.
"I know how you are. I don't trust you one bit with keeping those eyes close."
Serena only pouted again, but then smiled when he tapped her on the nose. Miki held onto her shoulders and lead her along a specific path that no one could've seen without really searching for it.
"Okay take caution...your going to have to walk up a small hill."
"A hill? Miki there are no hills here? Where are you taking me?"
"Just wait and you'll find out."
Letting out a frustrated sigh, she kept walking onto a high platform. Miki stopped her in the middle of the high point and took off the blind fold. Serena blinked a few times to adjust her eyes. When they did, she realized that the high platform was actually a small wooden bridge that overlooked a creak underneath. It was surrounded by roses of all colors. Miki released the umbrella and put it to the side of the bridge. Serena held her head up to the sky and let the sprinkles drop down on her face and slide gracefully down. She closed her eyes and relaxed, taking in the beautiful scenery that almost took her breath away. Feeling Miki near her, she opened her eyes and turned to him. He stood their staring in awe of the girl in front of him. He grinned and held out his hand.
"May I have this dance, M'Lady?"
Serena laughed and placed her hand in his. She slowly found her way into his arms.
"There's no music."
"Close your eyes again..and pretend there is."
She hesitated again and Miki saw that and raised his eyebrow. With the expression that she read 'What you don't trust me?'. Serena nodded and closed her eyes then waited a moment before she could hear music. Miki watched her facial expressions and looked for the cue to start. Once Serena took on that serene feeling, he began the waltz. He motioned his hand and when Serena heard music, she opened her eyes to see that a small band played in the shade. A man with a violin looked up and smiled at Serena, then nodded. She smiled back and nodded her approval. She watched each man played their own instrument. Miki started the waltz again. They allowed the rain fall around them, never letting it touch them as the danced to the music. Miki hummed the melody.
"...Oh I am what I am..I'll do what I want...But I can't hide...I won't go..I won't sleep...I can't breathe...until you're resting here with me..."
Serena caught onto the song and nodded her head to the beat of the song and began to sing and dance along with Miki. He heard her softly sing and slowed to a stop until it was only his young queen singing to the music.
"I didn't hear you leave..I wonder how am I still here..and I don't want to move a thing..it might change my memory...Oh I am what I am...I'll do what I want..."
The music began to fade and when it stopped, the band nodded their heads to the dancing couple and removed themselves from the park. Miki still held Serena in his arms and swayed to the long forgotten melody that played within their heads. Finally they stopped and Miki looked down at the figure in his arms. Her head laid on his chest with her eyes closed, humming the music. She stopped and opened her eyes when she felt his gaze on her. Serena blushed and pulled away from the man, her head down shyly.
"Sorry..got carried away."
"It's okay...you look amazing when you get carried away."
Serena glanced at her watched and realized that they had spent more then three hours together and panicked. If she didn't get home soon, Lita would wonder where she had been all day. Miki saw the fear in her eyes and raised an eye brow.
"What's wrong?"
"I have an hour to get home before Lita realizes I have been gone."
"Would that be a bad thing?"
"YES!"
Serena squealed, Miki covered his ears at the high pitch sound and cringed. He shook his head to get the ring out of it afterwards.
"Okay..I will take you home. Just let me give you your surprise."
Her eyes brightened up at the mention of the surprise, then dimmed down in bewilderment.
"Wait...isn't this my surprise?"
"Nope. This was just to get you here. This is your real surprise."
Miki scrambled through his jean pockets and pulled out a velvet box. Miki held it out in front of her and opened it. Serena had her eyes follow from the top of a silver thin chain, down to the penny-sized charm that it held. Looking closer she saw the charm to be a small clock. She smiled and made an ' awww' sound. Miki smiled down at her, he took it out of the box and placed it around her neck. As he did this he whispered a spell.
"A time for everything and everything in it's place. Return what has been moved through time and space. Winds of time, gather around. Give me wings to speed my way. Rush me on my journey forward. Let the future be today."
A light gathered around the necklace as he finished the spell. Miki waited for it to bring them to the future, but nothing happened. He waited a bit longer...nothing happened. Damn it Pluto! Why isn't this working? Serena turned around, obviously not aware what was happening and looked up at Miki.
"What did you say?"
"Oh..umm..nothing..nothing at all..Come on. Lita will be home soon and you can't be caught."
Miki rushed Serena out of the park and into the car. He was silently cursing Pluto for the charm and spell. Nothing happened. How was he suppose to get her to reveal herself as Neo Queen Serenity? As soon as she did...he could explain he why he needed her to search for Sailor Moon. Time was running out and he needed to find his mother. Serena watched Miki drive and noticed that he was very tense. What was he thinking about? Maybe she did something wrong and it upset him? Then it hit her. She didn't thank him for the gift! He probably thought she didn't like it! Serena made a mental note to thank him as soon as she got home.
Miki rushed her to the door as soon as he pulled up to her house. He had to make sure that Sailor Jupiter never saw him. There they stood at the door. Serena unlocked and opened the door. She turned to Miki and kissed him on the cheek.
"Thank you, Miki. It was a lovely day...and the gift was so thoughtful..thank you."
"Your Welcome."
Miki saw the time and nodded his good-bye and got out of there as soon as he could to avoid the sailor scout. Serena watched him as he went. I wonder what his problems was? Then walked into the house, playing with the charm on her new necklace.
