Sere's Back - Chapter 9!

Author's Note: I'm here. I know… and I'm sorry.

So it's been a while. More than a while. I have had absolutely no inspiration to write lately. Or more specifically no inspiration to fill in the gaps. I have bits and pieces of chapters from all my stories, but can't seem to sit down and write the next chapter out.

Hopefully this chapter is the beginning of a change. Good news is I'm also half way through chapter 10! Once again I apologise that it's been so long. Thanks once again to all who've reviewed and encouraged me along. I hope the wait was at least partially worth it.

Oh... and as it's been so long, can't remember the tricks to format this properly... I will look into it. But I figured it was better to just post the story now. Worry about that later.

Not sure if I've mentioned this yet…

AN: In this story, I'm using the idea that Beryl had clones of the generals, they were never turned bad in this lifetime, they were reincarnated with the others, and have been living a normal life like the girls, but not in Tokyo… This idea of the general's whereabouts has been used in many fanfiction stories and does not belong to me, if anyone particular has claim to this theory, I don't mean to borrow it without asking…

From Chapter Eight…

"Now everyone go to bed." Ordered Mel playfully. Ignoring the glares from his friends, he smiled broadly before falling onto the bed.

Chapter Nine

Narrator's Point of View

"Coffee anyone?" Asked Jed, holding the fresh pot in his hand.

"Where did you get that from?" Asked Serena, furrowing her brow.

Laughing, Nick answered, "it's this excellent invention, they call it room service."

Glaring half-heartedly at her friend, Serena shrugged. A moment later, she started again, "We have a problem…" Gaining the attention of everyone at the table, Serena continued. "You can't see him today."

"Who?" Asked Nick.

With a confused look, Zack guessed, "Darien?"

"Yes." She replied, her eyes overshadowed.

"Why not?" Demanded Mel, not happy with her attempts to separate their Prince from his rightful guard.

Sighing, she shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know. But you can't see him, if you do I have to see the Senshi…"

"Why?" Questioned Nick. "That doesn't make sense."

"I don't know, I just know that that is the case. Perhaps Pluto knows I don't want to see the Senhsi, perhaps she doesn't want you to see the prince yet."

Surprised, Jed asked, "Pluto told you this. When?"

"Last night, while I was sleeping."

"But you are allowed to see him?" Asked Mel.

"No. Not at the moment."

"This is… argh." Murmured Nick.

"Yeah." Sere agreed, shrugging slightly.

"So we have no contact with our Prince?" Questioned Jed with a frown.

Shaking her head, Serena answered, "I can talk to him. That's it."

"Do we know why?" Asked Zack.

Shrugging slightly, Serena answered in the negative. "Not really. You haven't seen him. All I know is you can't see him yet. Soon though."

"This sucks." Concluded Mel, the other three members of the guard nodding in agreement.

Darien's Point of View

Trudging slowly up the temple steps, I thought back on my less than spectacular day. I hadn't been able to concentrate on work all day, and then I got the phone call from Sere. Can't see them today, in fact I can't see my guard at all, yet. Can't see me Princess again for a while either. Damn Pluto. She can be very annoying sometimes. Sighing, I shrugged my shoulders, I guess it's the right thing, much as I might hate to admit it.

So following, my bad day and phone call, I figured I might as well top it all off by seeing the girls. Who I've been successfully avoiding since earlier this week.

As I walked into the temple, I was immediately surrounded by the sound of chattering girls. However, the moment they saw me, I was bombarded with questions. Not that I wasn't expecting them. So far, I'd done good to avoid them all since that vision we shared, but the time had come to discuss it.

"We really need to talk about the vision." Started Raye.

"Yes, I know." I replied, resigned.

As everyone paused, Lita asked, "Darien… you said you can't live without her anymore? What is that supposed to mean?"

"Huh?"

"You love her…" whispered Mina.

"Yes… I do…"

"How long have you loved her?" Asked Raye.

"Always…" I answered honestly.

"That was why you used to fight with us… originally I mean. You had some sort of connection with her… what was it, love?" Asked Ami.

"It is a soul bond." Answered Mina.

Smiling at her I agreed. "Yes, a soul bond."

I could almost see the wheels ticking over in their heads as the girls digested the information, thinking perhaps I had given them enough to think about, I was about to escape when Lita commented.

"She called you her prince…"

"And you called her princess." Added Raye, remembering.

Nodding, Lita asked, "What is that supposed to mean?"

"I don't know…" I began, wracking my brain to come up with an answer without telling them that which they aren't yet supposed to know. "It is all very confusing… but I think, back in the Silver Millennium, we were all of various royal descents…"

"Yes…" Interrupted Ami. And I silently thanked her for saving me, even if she didn't realise. "I do have a vague recollection of that…" She agreed.

'Phew', I thought to myself… 'That was close.'

Narrator's Point of View

"Pluto bugs me. I haven't seen her in millennium and she still manages to make life difficult." Growled Darien into the phone.

"You know she's only doing what she thinks needs to be done." Replied Serena matter-of-factly.

With a sigh into the receiver, Darien agreed. "I know Sere. I just… I miss you."

Smiling sadly in agreement Serena replied, "Soon. I'm sure this will all be over quite soon. At least we can chat now. Anyway, let's get off the depressing topic of our love life."

"Or lack there of."

"That's the depressing bit." Laughed Serena over the line.

"All right. You want to talk shop instead? That's actually the reason I called."

Hearing his tone change to a more subdued and serious note, Serena straightened in her seat. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing immediate." He began, reassuring her. "I was just thinking about the Generals. We may have a little problem. Well perhaps not so little."

"I don't understand Darien, what's wrong?" Asked Serena again. Overhearing her worried tone, the Generals stopped what they were doing to watch her phone call.

"Here in this time, in the city, we've been fighting against the Dark Kingdom. As I am sure you're aware. Now this isn't the issue. The problem is who Beryl's been using to fight against us."

"Monsters?"

"Well yes, them too." Agreed Darien. "But more importantly the Generals."

"The Generals? What about the Generals?" Asked Serena confused. In answer to the questioning look her guards were giving her, she shrugged. Crowding in close, the Generals tried to follow the one sided conversation.

"We've been fighting the Generals. Or more precisely, Beryl has made clones of the Generals, and we've been fighting against them."

"C… clones…?" Asked Serena in amazement. "She… I mean, I know she… but clones?"

"That's not the worst of the news Sere." Began Darien again. Pausing to be sure he had her attention, he then continued. "As you know, the Senshi don't have their memories back. As such, they don't remember the Generals from the Silver Millennium."

"They don't remember. Of course they don't." With a horrified glance at the Guards, Serena nodded in understanding. "They'll fear them. Recognise them only as the enemy."

"Yes."

"What?" Interrupted Mel worried by the look Serena was giving them. 'Horrified', he thought to himself.

"What's wrong?" Echoed Jed. All four of the Generals now sitting tensely, waiting to be filled in.

"Look Dare," continued Serena. "I understand what you're saying. I'll think on this, and I'll talk to your Generals and I'll get back to you with some suggestions. In the mean time, I have to go, I think they're worried."

"Too right we're worried." Agreed Nick.

Smiling to himself at the conversation he could hear in the background Darien happily let her go. "I just wanted to warn you all. Tell my Guard that I said to continue looking after you. And I'll talk to you later?"

"Okay." Agreed Serena absently, her mind still half on their discussion. "Thanks again for the heads up Darien."

"Anytime, they are my Guard after all. Well, I'll let you go, you have a lot to discuss I'm sure. Let me know if there's anything I can do. I'd like to be in on this discussion with you, but as you know, I'm not allowed to be."

"I know." Said Serena with a sad smile. "I'll talk to you soon. Love you."

"Love you. Bye Sere."

Next chapter… well the first bit's not written yet… soon (hopefully).

AN: Just so you all know. The long wait – it annoys me too.

Thanks again. I hope you enjoyed the chapter.

Quick answer to one of my anon reviewers: No this isn't another she forgives them all fic. Has she forgiven the Senshi yet? No. Has she even agreed to see them yet? No. So don't yell at me! Authors love reviews, and I'm more than happy for criticism. It helps me grow. But if you're going to criticise, please make it constructive!