Chapter Twenty: Passionate Choices Pt.1

An: Strong language and Violence

Later on that day, Darien had told the others what he had witnessed at sunrise. But it wasn't until the next day that Serena came out of the empty room she had used. The Scouts had expected her to come out and act as her usual self. They all nearly had a heart attack when she came in for breakfast that morning. Instead of her normal cheerful self, Serena walked in silent and cold. She wore the same type of outfit that Kumori would wear, with her daggers at her side. Her hair was still down, even though it was much longer. She had to braids, one on either side of her head. She wore a black tank top and red skin tight pants. She had knee high boots on, although they couldn't see them. On her arms were metallic bands that matched her choker. Everyone stared at her as she walked in and sat down by Miki.

"We need to go over our strategies, just in case Red Beard decides to make a move. I want to be prepared for any thing he tries." she looks up at the Scouts as they stared at her in pure shock. Kumori they could handle, this new Serena they couldn't. She acted so cold towards them and held a demanding presences. She looked up at them and then back at Miki. "If we are including them, then we need to train them. I don't want them to walk into battle as amateurs. They need to me prepped on how we work. Especially if we are going to be a team. I think if we train them with our battle techniques first, then the planning will be better. We will be able to figure out were to place them in all this and who works better with who. They also need to know how to work with out weapons. If for some reason they get too weak, they'll need to know that they are completely defenseless. Plus I would feel better if I knew that they could back us up if anything goes wrong."

"At least you could do is acknowledge us." came a voice from across the room. Serena looked up to meet Rei's glare as she brought the pot of coffee to the table. The blonde countered her glare then raised her eye brow. "Excuse me?" she inquired. Rei moved forward, setting the pot down.

"You heard me. You talk about us as if we aren't even in the room. At least you could do was talk to us as if were here." The raven haired priestess informed acidly. Serena smirked.

"Weren't you taught to keep your mouth shut? Last time I checked, I was leader. If I want your opinion, I'll ask for it. But since I'm not, stay quiet." The blonde turned back to Miki. "...as I was saying..."

Rei's knuckles started to go white as her fists tighten with anger. She scowled and leaned over the table, getting in Serena's face. "If you think we're going to follow your orders..you're dead wrong. I stopped taking orders from a ditz like you the day you abandoned us!" she spat. Mina stood and shouted Rei's name. Rei shout her a death glare. "No. She needs to hear this."

Serena turned around fully to meet face to face with the priestess. Her face held no expression and the darkest blue eyes. They showed no depth and no emotion. Rei went on.

"You knew what was going on the entire time..and not once did you ask for our help. Then on your own..you just up and left us. Making us believe that you were dead! I won't allow us to get involved with anything you plot. If you couldn't be a leader seven years ago, what makes you think you can do it now?"

By this time, Serena slowly stood from her position. She placed her hands on the table and leaned in. In the beginning, Serena had dreamed of having enough courage to stand up to Rei. Now was her chance. She was going to show her was sever years of war can do to a person.

"You better watch your tongue, Mars. You are raising your voice to your princess." she said smugly, waiting for Rei's anger to raise. Which, by now, it had. She scuffed and rolled her eyes.

"Princess? Is that what you are? I don't see a princess anywhere. Do you girls?" Rei leaned in again smiling evilly. "All I see is a bitch who talks to much. If she was as powerful as she think she is..she would have done something by now."

Ha! Yes! Rei just hit the jackpot! Serena is going to have a field day with her. Serena moved back from the table and crossed her arms on her chest. She moved to the right side of the table, Rei meeting her, until there was nothing blocking her way.

"That sounds like a challenge."

"What if it is? What are you going to do about it...meatball head." Rei said as she poked her index finger on Serena's chest, making her step back. Before Rei had a chance to take back her hand, Serena grabbed it and held on firmly. With her other hand, she wrapped it around Rei's neck. She had pressure, so that Rei was now clawing at her arm to let her breath. Serena twisted Rei's hand to the side and watched as she tried to squeal in pain and get oxygen at the same time. Serena started to take steps forward, making Rei walk back against the wall. The blonde lifted Rei against the wall and into the air.

"How dare you disrespect me you low creature. I am superior to you in..every...single...way. I could kill you for your words. You are nothing to me. A speck of dirt that I brush off. An annoying insect that keeps getting in my face shouting useless words. When I look in your eyes I see a weak little girl that would wet her pants at the first sight of a real battle field. You know, I should have put you in your place a LONG time ago. You want me to act like a leader, Mars. Well how's this for a leader?"

Like a rag doll, Serena threw Rei on the other side of the main chamber and against the wall. She hit the wall hard and landed on the floor. She sat up with a red face. So heated with hatred that she wanted nothing more than to put Serena out on her ass for leaving them.

"You know what I see?"

"I really don't give a rat's ass...but if you feel the need to bore me any longer...then get it over with." she said smugly as she started to walk towards Rei. She reached the table by the time Rei continued.

"I see only a BITCH trying to impress the same people that thought you worthless from the beginning."

Serena stopped in her trail and looked at the girl as if she had slapped her. The memory of all those years ago, replaying in her head. She had been late for the meeting and had snuck up on one of their private chatts. Because of them she had tried to better herself...and because of them she decided to leave. Serena remembered Miki showing her the future..how everyone had died. She left to save them. Only to come back and discover that they didn't appreciate what she was doing for them. Of course, they also don't know the whole story. Or did they and they still don't want her there? Serena snapped out of her train of thought. They all stared at her and Rei still sat on the ground smiling at her. Rei enjoyed knowing she hit a nerve. Serena wasn't going to handle this anymore. For once and for all...she was going to prove she was a better person. The blonde took hold of her sword she had and held it out. Rei's eyes widened, not knowing what she was going to do with that, but had a good idea. Then there was a loud clattering sound as Serena dropped her sword to the side. She did the same with all her daggers. She pulled up her longer into a pony tail.

Before Rei had the chance to get up, Serena was already across the room, standing above her. Serena held out her hand for Rei to grab, but she only looked at it oddly. The dark headed didn't know what to do. She was stunned. The girl had every chance to get Rei back and she's holding out her hand? The priestess didn't by it. It's some kinda of trick, she thought. Rei growled and kicked Serena out from under her feet. The blonde landed on her back, with Rei on top of her. The raven hair began to punch the girl on the floor.

"I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU! YOU ARE JUST A BIG SHOW OFF! ALL THESE YEARS I SHOULD HAVE BEEN LEADER! NOT SOME SKINNY LITTLE CRY BABY!"

Serena grabbed Rei on the hips and thrown her to the floor. She rolled over on top of Rei and pinned her arms above her head. Rei fought long and hard. Kicking and screaming out the blonde. The dark headed girl kept screaming with all her anger.

After a while Serena did the same, she started to punch Rei. In the face, in the chest, and in the stomach. She slapped her around a few times. Still, the dark headed girl screamed out her hate.

"I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU FOR BEING ALIVE! I HATE THAT YOU ARE A KLUTZ! I HATE THAT YOU ARE SO STUPID! I HATE THAT WE HAVE TO PROTECT YOU! I HATE THE FACT THAT YOUR OUR LEADER! I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU! WHY COULDN'T YOU JUST STAY DEAD!"

Serena had to regain a grip on Rei, realizing that there was a hidden reason for all this. There was more to all of her hate. Serena was going to wait until Rei had finished her fit. The group at the table watched with suspense, never seeing this happen before. Miki rolled his eyes and sighed. He kicked up his feet and drank his coffee. From what he remembered from the future was this: whenever the Queen and someone got into a fight...it was going to take a while. Might as well just relax till then. Serena's grip loosened when Rei began to break down. She had stopped kicking and yanking around. She still shook her head and wiggled around trying to be set free. Although this time, when she shouted and cursed, she let tears fall. Her eyes closed as tears consumed her screams.

"YOU MADE US BELIEVE YOU WERE DEAD! YOU MADE ME BELIEVE THAT WE WERE THE ONES THAT KILLED YOU! I HATE YOU FOR THAT! YOU LEFT US!"

Rei's cries became sobs and now there was no controlling anything she said. She didn't care who was there or listening. It was time to let everything out.

"YOU LEFT US! WE WERE SUPPOSE TO PROTECT YOU AND YOU DIED!...you left us...you..left...me..."

Serena held her breath, not ready for that shocker. There were no more screams..no more words. Only Rei's cries and chants of the last sentence. She was broken up and the Scouts bowed their heads. They were secretly thinking the same thing. Letting her words be there own. Serena felt this and looked up at them.

"Is this how the rest of you feel? Do you feel as if I left you because I just up and decided it?"

Serena let go of Rei and stood up. Her stomach did flips and turns that made her feel ill. She was disgusted with their thoughts. Disgusted with herself to leave with them thinking that. Rei was still sobbing on the ground. Miki and his crew members were the only ones who were affected by this. All though they were at the edge of their seats. Being in space, you didn't experience this much drama. No time. Too much work. They consumed this like a freaking soap opera, except Miki. He had a lifetime of it and it grew on him. Serena repeated her question.

"Do you feel as if I left you?" Now sounding like it was more of an accusing statement than it was a question. Serena scuffed.

"I left because I was needed. I had a future to secure. OUR future to secure. There is a man..no..a monster out there that will destroy everything if I do not catch him. Do you think I WANTED to leave? Maybe at first, yes, I wanted to get the hell away from all of you. You treated me as if I was a child. As if I would never grow up. I had to prove that I could be worth fight for. Do you know how I FELT? My BEST friends. My lover. Never had any faith in me. Yes, I acted the way I did. But that is who I was. You never gave me the change to grow up."

There was silence. Rei had stopped her crying, hearing Serena's words. She sat up, like the others, with her head bowed in shame. That's right, Serena thought, be ashamed. You should be. Serena stood there for a minute, letting it all sink in. Then she walked over and grabbed her weapons. She walked towards the front door and slid it open. Before she stepped out, she turned her head to the side to watch them from her corner eye. They were watching her leave. She put on her cold exterior again.

"Next time. Don't ever question my ability to be your leader. I am and will be...so get over it. I'm sorry I hurt your feelings. But don't blame me for trying to be who I am."

With that said, she walked out and slammed the door hard. The noise echoed through the quiet room. Miki finished his coffee and sat the mug down. He put his legs down from the table and cleared his throat.

"That was the best damn coffee I've had for a long time. Thanks for breakfast."

Then he got up, followed by the crew members and walked out. Now there were only the Scouts and Darien there. Silently thinking about what Serena had spoke earlier.

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Miki found Serena out front with a bowl of water and cloth. She was cleaning up the scratches and bruises that Rei had left on her arms and face. The man came up behind her and sat down on the shrine temple. He propped up one of his legs and rested his elbow on that knee. They were quiet for a long time and then he spoke.

"You did the right thing, Serena. You're do good. They had no right doubting your authority. I know you are friends with them, but you needed to set them straight. Let them know who is boss...and you ARE the boss. So don't feel guilty for what you did back there."

Serena placed the clothing on her arms and doctored it. She didn't say anything, she didn't need to. Miki and her were thinking the same thing. He knew, as well as she did, that she was guilty at all for what she did. It was high time for that speech. She had wanted to say it for a while. Now that she had, that cleared the air. No one was going to question her anymore. What she said, was how it was going down. They didn't need to say more.

Miki smiled at the blonde. He leant in and kissed her forehead. He stood and began to walk up to the shrine. Before he left completely, he stopped and turned around.

"I'm proud of you, mom." then he left.

Serena sat there, with the now red cloth in her hands. She looked out over the horizon and sighed.

AN: Okay Part One is finished. I hate to do this to you guys, but I'm going to be gone for a few days. So your going to have to suffer without Part Two for a while. Next will be the fight between Serena and Darien! Hehehehe..this should be fun to write. Hope you enjoyed this chapter. THANKS FOR THE REVIEWS! You are the best!