Chapter 14:
The next morning Ami, Rei, Lita and Mina walked around to the modelling agency. After arguing with some of Serena's friends from the agency, Serena poked her head out of the door leading to the waiting room and told them to let the girls through. They hurriedly followed Serena through the door and to her small apartment. She told them to wait there for a few hours and to make themselves at home. She went off then. Ami rang the hotel to let the others know what was going on and Lita began cooking in Serena's tiny kitchen. Rei and Mina sat down and talked lightly. It was hours before Serena came back. And she did so, so quietly that they didn't know she was there until a small voice said,
"I'm so sorry you guys." from the door way. The stood up and looked at Serena, tears had begun to fall from her eyes. Rei, who was closest, took her arm and led her to the couch, Lita brought over tea and they all sat around her.
"I should've known, I just thought… I thought I could trust her…" She whispered.
"Trust who?" Mina asked gently.
"I thought she might've been, I thought she was my mother." She began to cry a little.
"You thought who might've been your mother?" Lita asked with shock in her voice. Serena explained about the dreams.
"I started having them a while ago, the lady was so kind. I felt so stupid sometimes and she told me I'd make a great Queen of Crystal Tokyo." She began. "She said… I was… a daughter any mother would be proud of." She began to sob. "Then she said I'd need to leave, bad things would happen if I didn't and she helped me plan how to get away without you knowing." She explained how she got the modelling job and that the lady told her when the attacks would be and where. "Then," her voice turned hoarse, "I went to that park and I found out she was evil and… and… those smoke people we destroyed were actually warriors in my future army. Then we battled…" She finished. It was quiet for a while then Ami broke the silence.
"Serena," She began, but seemed quite lost at what to say. More tears fell from Serena's eyes. All of the girls were crying.
"Is everything alright here?" Luna asked from behind them. Serena jumped up.
"Luna!" She cried. She grabbed the cat and pulled it into a hug. "I didn't know you were here!" She cried. Luna relished the hug for a bit then said.
"Well I won't be here much longer if you don't release your grip!" Everyone laughed, then cried and began hugging.
"Oh Serena!" Mina cried, hugging her. "We were so worried about you!"
"Yeah Meatball Head!" Rei said pushing Mina out of the way and hugging Serena too. "We don't know what kinda trouble you'd got yourself in without our guidance!" She teased. Serena laughed and hugged Ami.
"Serena, it was so scary…" She whispered, and Serena let out a small sob. Lita pulled her into a fierce hug.
"Girl! I thought you were leaving us forever!" She said, they all sat down.
"I missed you all too." Serena said, patting Luna. "I was so sad leaving you all…" She trailed off. "I bet Darien's so mad at me…" The others looked at each other.
"Nah Serena, he's just been really worried." Mina said lightly.
"HE was a mess when you dumped him." Rei said. "But he wasn't mad, just upset; he thought you didn't love him anymore." She said sadly.
"Sorry Rei," Serena said hurriedly. Rei waved it off.
"I've told you before I'm over Darien, there's no need to apologise." Serena smiled awkwardly at Rei, but the truth was in her eyes. She was over Darien.
"You should come and see the others with us." Luna said. "Rini's been worried sick."
"Yeah right." Serena scoffed.
"No really, she couldn't even joke about it." Ami said. Serena looked sad again, but went with the others.
"They've been gone all day…" Rini moaned.
"I know sweetie, but Serena might've been busy." Darien replied, his face contorted with worry.
"It's the weekend…" Rini pointed out.
"It might not matter." Amara said from the kitchen. Upon saying this, the door opened, the four young adults, two children and cats all sat up and looked at the door. Ami and Rei entered the room with Serena behind them and Lita and Mine behind her. Cries of happiness came from all around as Serena entered the room. She smiled slightly and then looked down at her feet. Amara came over from the kitchen.
"Nice seeing ya again." She said and hugged Serena. Serena smiled and repeated the greeting. Michelle came over to and greeted the future queen. Trista also came and greeted Serena, but she didn't give a hug. Lita and Amara went into the kitchen to make some food. Ami, Mina and Rei took Serena over to the couches. She sat down opposite Darien, but neither spoke. Rini crawled over and plunked herself onto Serena's lap.
"Hey 'Rena!" She said brightly. "Why'd you go?" She asked.
"Like you care, you little runt." Serena teased.
"I do!" Rini said. "If your not around who's gonna make me look smart?" A grin spread across the child's face. Serena mocked angry, then hugged Rini tightly. Hotaru came over and hugged Serena too.
"I missed you." The small girl whispered. "You were one of my first friends." She said sadly and Serena hugged her tighter. Amara came out of the kitchen and Ami went in to help Lita cook. They sat down and listened to Serena's as she retold her story. Everyone was silent after. Serena felt very awkward in this group. Rei tried to joke.
"I always tell you not to listen to the voices in your head, Meatball Head!" She said and Serena laughed a little, which gave room for everyone else to laugh and lighten up. They began discussing what had happened except for Darien. Serena noticed this sadly.
Maybe he is angry after all… She thought miserably, but as if to answer her unspoken question, Darien got up and walked over to her. He pulled her up and into a hug. He held her tightly.
"Never leave me like that, please…" He whispered.
"Darien, I'm so sorry…" Serena began.
"No, don't worry I love you, that's all that matters." He said and hugged her some more.
"I love you too." Serena said. As they pulled apart Lita announced that dinner would be served soon and they'd all better set the table.
Later that night, Serena was staying at the hotel with the others. She was sitting alone staring out of the window up at the moon. Darien came and sat next to her.
"Serena?" He asked, something was troubling her mind and her confusion plagued her face.
"Oh Darien, I'm going to have to tell my parents about the scouts." She said, being unusually straightforward for Serena.
"Why?" He asked.
"I have to explain." She said simply, he understood and hugged her comfortingly. They planned to go back the next day; Serena would see her parents and Sammy again. She had to tell them. Tell them everything.