Emotions
Chapter Ten: Year One
The first few weeks were hard on Serena. She seemed listless, more like an old woman than the young seventeen-year-old teenager she was. The smile that was reserved for Darien was gone, replaced by shadows in her dull sky blue eyes. She only smiled at her friends or Andrew these days, for she knew that the girls were trying their hardest to cheer her up and Andrew reminded her of the ebony-haired man she loved.
Serena made many friends among the girls who joined the treble choir, including the new freshmen that joined that school year. Serena made it her solemn duty to help the young girls be comfortable in their new surroundings. The young girls appreciated it and the older girls admired Serena for it. This project kept her busy for some time.
The Youma attacks were growing. Malachite and Serena fought hand-to-hand now while the Sailor Scouts handled the Youma. Serena slept less but worked more.
An added bonus came to Serena a couple months after Darien left. The owner of the Minato Flower Gardens and Wildlife Preserve was moving to Europe because his wife had a rare illness. Serena had always been his favorite, so he gave the whole establishment to her. Serena was shocked and honored.
Andrew was placing up early Christmas decorations when he heard the door bell jingle. Looking up, he saw Serena walking in.
Serena wore slim dark khaki slacks offset by darker brown working boots. She wore a thick winter coat over a forest green polo shirt with gold piping tucked into her slacks. Andrew could see "Minato Flower Gardens and Wildlife Preserve" embroidered gold over her heart. On her right ring finger was Darien's promise ring. Her hair was in its usual bun style and her cheeks were flushed with pink from cold. Under her eyes were dark circles, but Andrew didn't notice them.
"Wow," he remarked when she sat down. "You weren't joking when you said you owned the whole shindig."
She smiled a genuine smile, her eyes sparkling for the first time in a month and two weeks. "No, I wasn't joking," she replied. "It's just, I wasn't ready for the surprise. You know Konji isn't the type to scare people."
Andrew chuckled. "He isn't," he agreed. Looking closer, he thought he saw something spark in her eyes. "Want something?" he asked.
Serena looked up at him and nodded. "Hot chocolate would be nice."
Fixing her drink, Andrew watched as she rubbed her temple, closing her eyes with a sigh and slumping a little. He placed the mug in front of her, and she inhaled its warm scent before sipping.
"We've had more animals brought in. Two abused female cheetahs, an injured lioness, a healthy she-wolf with sick cubs, and a pregnant giraffe with swollen knees," Serena said sleepily as she savored the warmth seeping in her ice-cold body. "The lioness is being treated for a broken leg, the wolf cubs vaccinated with a life-saving animal medicine equivalent to human penicillin, the giraffe under constant monitors, and the cheetahs being in rehabilitation."
Andrew whistled and finally noticed the dark circles under her eyes. "Have you been sleeping?" he asked, concerned. She nodded slightly and swayed. Andrew caught her before she fell from the stool. She stirred in his arms.
Andrew gathered his coat and made his way to the Hikawa Temple, Serena securely bundled and warm.
"No…Darien…don't leave…" Serena mumbled in her sleep. She tossed and turned, sweat-soaked.
The girls watched Raye meditate before Serena, who was set in front of the Sacred Fire. Chad watched from the shadows. Raye tried to enter Serena's mind, but white shields were pushing her back. She tried again and again, but the sleeping blonde in front of her was not responding.
Raye sighed. "It's no use," she stated tiredly as she stretched. Lita, Amy, and Mina looked at her. "I can't get in. She won't let me."
"What do you mean?" Lita asked, looking worriedly at Serena. Chad had left after Raye stood. "Is it her Sailor powers acting up?"
Raye shook her head, eyes sad. "It's like something's hiding the truth from my powers. Whatever it is, it won't let me See what Serena's fighting."
Amy looked shocked. "Serena's fighting something?"
Raye nodded. "It's taking her energy." She turned to Mina. "Any suggestions?"
Mina thought for a minute. "That battle after Darien betrayed Serena. She mentioned something about a prophecy being fulfilled to Malachite. Maybe something to do with that?"
At that moment, Raye was struck with visions. A blonde woman in white, a black-haired man in black, a shining silver palace. They plagued her mind's eye, almost to the point of unbearable. Raye clutched her head as she fell to her knees. She dimly heard the alarmed cries of the others as she crumbled and closed her eyes.
She was in Serena's dream. Raye stood atop a white granite balcony looking into a crowded ballroom. She turned and saw two people below on the terrace.
A beautiful woman with golden hair was dressed in a white silk dress. Her hair remarkably looked like Serena's. Raye looked closer and saw a delicate face and sky blue eyes.
The handsome man beside her grinned. His ebony black hair was tousled on his handsome face. Black plate armor graced his lean and powerful form and complemented his midnight blue eyes.
It unnerved Raye to see exact look-alikes of her two friends. The couple pulled together before Raye heard a scream. She looked up.
A woman in red with red hair was looking at the two with fire in her blood red eyes. The man in black darted in front of the blonde woman, pulling on his cape to shield her. The floating woman came at the couple with force, and Raye could see a sword in her hand.
It all ended when Serena screamed.
Raye jolted awake, sitting up with fear in her eyes. Lita, Mina, and Amy were ranged around her, scared expressions on their faces. Raye focused on Serena, who was curled in a little sweat-soaked ball. The blonde rocked back and forth, fear written across her sleeping face.
"What happened? You just…collapsed," Mina asked.
Raye again focused on Serena. "I was in her dream," Raye said at last. The others widened their eyes.
"What was she dreaming about?" Amy asked.
Raye told the story as she drank some tea with crushed calming leaves. Once she was done, Mina spoke up. "Maybe she's afraid that Darien's not coming back?"
Raye shook her head as she asked Lita to fix more tea. Once it was done, Raye coaxed some into Serena. Serena drank some and slept fitfully. "It's more than that," Lita concluded. "Why else would she dream about a woman and a man being attacked by a demon?"
The Fire Priestess nodded in agreement. "Get some sleep," she ordered to the other girls. "We're all exhausted, and rest is needed."
Serena was afraid. Every night she saw the same thing; Darien dying at the sword of a demon woman. When Raye entered her dream, Serena had felt safe. Now it was getting worse.
Christmas came and rolled around. Serena received many gifts, and she knew that her friends liked their gifts as well. On Christmas, Serena came to her apartment to find a huge bouquet of white roses on her doorstep. Attached was a note.
Serena set the fragrant flowers on her counter and picked up the note. Flipping it over, she opened the flap, instantly recognizing the handwriting. Tears flowed down her cheeks as she read the note.
Dearest Serena,
I miss you so badly. I wish I was there to embrace you on this happy holiday, to kiss you and make you smile.
It's been fun, these last few months. The doctors I've been learning from are kind and patient. I'll be going to California in a couple of days to learn from the best in Los Angeles. This program is the best, I believe!
You don't know how many girls have hit on me! I told them that I'm off the market, but American girls don't get the understanding across. I've made guy friends who are taking care of the problem.
I love you with all my heart, and I can't wait to see your smiling face once more.
Love,
Darien
Serena put down the note with a trembling hand. She looked at the roses. Lifting one, she inhaled the sweet scent. Her tears dripped on the velvet petals as she sunk to her knees, hugging herself as she sobbed.
Andrew found her like that, leaning against the kitchen bar. He helped her on the couch as he read the note. He laughed at the girl notion, in which made a shadow of a smile flicker across her face.
Andrew invited her to go to dinner with him and Mina. Serena accepted.
Two Months Later, in February…
Serena walked confidently to the Arcade, smiling proudly. A scarf covered her neck, while a thick coat kept her warm. Many people passing on the street looked at her with acknowledging looks.
Entering, Serena saw her friends chatting with Andrew and Lizzy, his sister. She shrugged off her coat and unwound her scarf as she approached her friends.
"Hey Serena!" Lizzy said, smiling. Serena's friends turned.
Andrew smiled. "Hey Serena! What's gotten you in a good mood?"
Serena smiled wider. "Everything's going great at Minato. The she-wolf was accepted by the wolf pack today, the cubs are on their way to a zoo in China, and the lioness is pregnant with Leo's cubs. We named the baby giraffe Cinder for her dark coat, her mother's knees are fixed, and the cheetahs are doing wonderfully." She accepted a cup of hot chocolate from Lizzy.
Amy giggled. "That's good, Sere."
Mina nodded. "That's really good, Bunny. What else is new?"
Serena shrugged. "Nothing else is new. I've been looking for new employees, though."
Lita smiled. "No thanks, Bunny. I've been busy with exams." The others agreed, but Serena had interviewed other people to fill the spots. Thanking Lizzy and Andrew, Serena left.
She walked down the sidewalk, thinking. It had been five months since Darien left. She had a great job and was loved by friends who felt her pain. Serena was getting over her sadness.
A scream sounded nearby, and Serena looked up. She ran towards the sound while contacting her friends on the communicator. Rounding the corner, she swerved to avoid running people.
Malachite was laughing evilly as he absorbed the energy from the pedestrians around him. He glowed with black magic as people around him dropped like stones. His clothes and white hair looked windblown.
Serena dashed into the nearest alleyway and pulled her brooch out. As she transformed she jumped to the top of the building nearest to her, peering over the edge at Malachite as she readied herself.
"Having fun, Malachite?" she called, standing up. Her blonde pigtails fluttered around her as a breeze sprung and ruffled her skirt. The Commander looked up with fire in his blue eyes.
"I was until you showed up," he replied as he aimed a beam at her. Serena jumped up, dodging it, and flipped over his head. She landed on the pavement below him and dodged another beam. She landed hard on her knee and gasped as Malachite hovered over her, smirking.
Serena looked beyond him and saw Mina and the others, in Sailor Scout form, readying their attacks. Mina's love chain shimmered in her hands, while Raye's hands glowed with fire and Lita's tiara sparkled with lightning. Amy cupped her hands, bubbles popping in the air. Serena smiled.
"What's so funny, Sailor Moon?" Malachite demanded. Four girls' voices were his answer.
"Venus Love Chain Encircle!"
"Mars Celestial Fire Surround!"
"Supreme Thunder Crash!"
"Shine Aqua Illusion!"
Malachite was not expecting the attacks. He took them pretty hard. When they ended, he was gasping on hands and knees, a trickle of blood coming from his mouth. His white hair was mussed and his uniform was half-burned, exposing scorched skin.
His eyes burned as they focused on Serena. "You think you can beat me?" he almost screamed, pushing himself up. The Sailor Scouts stood in front of him, Serena twirling the Moon Scepter in her hands. She walked up to him.
"I have a problem, Malachite. Do you know what it is?" Serena asked, ice in her voice and eyes.
"Why should I care?" he demanded.
Serena shrugged carelessly. "It involves you existing. I can take care of that problem right now." She brought down the Scepter and smiled coldly. "Moon Princess Halation!"
Malachite turned to dust when the beam touched him. Serena looked at the spot where he last stood, then turned.
Lita had her hands on hips, grinning. Raye and Amy stood together, smiling, while Mina walked over to her.
"We did it," Mina said happily. "That's the last of them."
"Then why do I feel like the battle isn't over?" Serena murmured under her breath.
"Poor Malachite," the red-haired woman murmured. Her blood-red eyes gazed into the clear crystal in front of her, locked on the image of Sailor Moon and her Sailor Scouts. "He was the last, and my best."
Queen Beryl of the Negaverse looked into the darkness around her. "That sailor brat destroyed them all. How could she?"
Beryl knocked the crystal away from her, enjoying the sound of it shattering. Beryl hated Sailor Moon and her Sailor Scouts. They had taken Jadeite and Nephlite when they were younger. Now they had taken Zoicite and Malachite, the last of her Generals. Sailor Moon had somewhat broken the nightmares she had been sending, but that fact explained her tiredness and lack of her caped crusader, Tuxedo Mask.
"This could get interesting," Beryl said approvingly. "Just wait, Sailor Brat. I've still got a few tricks up my sleeve."
Serena celebrated her eighteenth birthday with friends and family. They treated her to her favorite restaurant, went out for karaoke, and gave her tickets to the upcoming Carnival. She received things to go into her apartment and clothes. Luna also visited her greatly, which brightened her some.
Coming home late one night from work, Serena found a wrapped package on her desk. She picked it up and looked it over. The packaging was plain, and there was no return address. Serena tore into it to find a book.
Opening it to the first page, Serena smiled through prickling tears. Darien's laughing face among three other males' silly faces popped out at her. She realized it was a scrapbook, filled to the brim with pictures of Darien. Him smiling, laughing, embarrassed, and mad was seen on every page. Serena laughed at the funny pictures. She noticed she was in a lot of them.
A note fell out of the back. Serena stooped down to pick it up and started reading.
Hey Serena,
What's up, Bunny? I'm having so much fun here in California. I'll be going to Texas pretty soon, but I wanted to give this to you. Happy Birthday!
I've heard from Andrew. What's this about moping around? That's not the Serena I know. The Serena I know is vibrant and smiling constantly, spreading warmth like the sun. He also told me about your new job. Congrats on being owner! I'm so proud of you.
I've had this scrapbook for as long as I can remember. Some of the pictures are from my freshman, sophomore, and junior years at the University. The rest are of us together. I thought it might be the perfect present to help you remember me by.
I love you and miss you dearly,
Darien
Serena smiled. This time she didn't cry. She wasn't even sad. She was happy that Darien was having fun on this internship.
She stowed the note away with the one she got from Christmas and put the scrapbook on her shelf. Smiling to herself, she grabbed the scrapbook and note, and rushed to show the gang her latest present.
Serena graduated from high school with flying colors and high honors. In fact, she graduated at the top of her class, tying with Amy.
Her family was proud, watching her receive her diploma with tears in eyes. Her green-and-black robe fluttered as a wind sprung up, her blonde pigtails flying like kites. They congratulated her after the ceremony.
Mina, Amy, Raye, Lita, and Serena went to a nightclub that night to celebrate. Each girl was careful around strange boys, remembering that they had boyfriends. Serena didn't dance, spending the whole night fingering the promise ring Darien gave her. She never took it off.
Amy moved to a small house near the medical college she was going to attend. Chase went with her. The gang suffered the loss, but Amy visited everyday that summer. Lita moved from her house to a medium-sized apartment near the culinary arts academy. Michael also went with her, but the academy wasn't an hour out of Tokyo; just downtown.
The boys graduated from the University with honors as well. Andrew gave Serena Darien's diploma to frame and display. Serena did frame it and put it in Darien's bedroom in his apartment.
The biggest display of love happened that summer. Mina decided to move in with Andrew. Serena and the others were happy for the two, and they were happy when Chad moved from his apartment into the Temple with Raye.
Serena's job blossomed. The Wildlife Preserve had earned so much profit that it was expanding, offering room for new animals and expansion for the current residents. Exotic new flowers were brought in as well; from foreign places like the Caribbean and Brazil.
Mina and Serena were roommates at the University, so Mina had to move her stuff into the dorm room instead of into Andrew's house. The disappointment was felt by all, both for Mina and Raye, who had to do the same thing, and Andrew and Chad.
Serena looked forward for a new experience, as did her friends.
So, how did you like it? I think that this has been my best chapter yet. (Maybe you'd like to differ?) Please R&R!