A/N- Yay, this one came out fast. Well I hope you guys like it! Pretty much everyone is in here. It seems that pretty much everyone liked Diamond's death. That's good news for me. No one dies in this chapter and I'm pretty sure the rest of the story… so any ways, R&R
Moon Titan- Ok, I didn't want Serenity to be the stereotypical princess. She needed to have a backbone and needed to show how mad she was. Plus I think Diamond had it coming to him.
moonie B- Def. not over yet. Close, but not quite
VcChick- Well… that pairing doesn't really work, but Sapphire does get a girl… just not in this chapter.
Sailor Saturn2- Sad, but needed. There's one more problem for Dare and Sere, but that's coming up in the next chapter.
cosmos serenity- the wait this time wasn't that bad. Thanks!
RuuD BoY- I was feeling nice and this chapter in Sere and Dare's relationship is coming to an end while another one is starting. So read on and find out about Emerald's future…
LynGreenTea- I wrote more as soon as I could
mysterious advisor- the five couples all have a scene together. One for each of just the couple itself and one with everyone in it. Thanks for the brownie points though!
Ffgirlmoonie- I'm happy Diamond's dead too. He was going to get annoying
Alexandria18- Yes the problem does come from somewhere else, but that should be clear after this chapter…
Sailorceb- updated!
Gr33nJ3w3lRain- Sorry if that was unclear. I wasn't going to make her kill the one she loved! That would just be too mean and would ruin the entire story.
"Darien! Serenity!" Rei called from the ships rail where she had been leaning. Serenity and Darien came galloping u the docks and stopped at the ship. Serenity got down followed by Darien who had to lean on her for a little bit.
"What happened?" Malachite asked as he took Darien's wait off of Serenity and onto himself.
"We'll explain later." Darien said. He grunted as he held his shoulder. "Right now we need to get out of here. Emerald wasn't expecting us to kill Diamond, but instead just get Serenity away. She'll have the army out searching for us and trying to stop us."
"We'll get the ship out of the harbor. Go to the cabin and rest. Neph will get Lita to bring you some food and Zoi will get Amy to come in and help your wound." Jadeite said.
"Thank you." Darien smiled as he walked back to his cabin with the help of Malachite and Serenity. Malachite sat him on the bed and said good bye before leaving to help with the ship.
"Serenity!" Amy ran over to where Serenity was sitting next to Darien. "We were so worried about you and… O dear! Darien let me see your arm." Amy jerked Darien's arm over to her causing him to wince.
"Amy be careful! And it's nice to see you too." Serenity held Darien to her as Amy examined his shoulder.
"Serenity this is a gun shot wound. Diamond had a gun on him?" Amy asked.
"He did, but it was hidden. I'll explain after we're on the open sea and safe." Serenity said. "Now can you help him?"
"I can, I'll just need a sewing kit and some tweezers." Amy said. Darien told her where to find a pair of tweezers and Amy went to get her sewing kit.
"Can I have some gin or something strong?" Darien asked as he saw Amy preparing to get the bullet out.
"Yes, it might be good actually. Numb you a bit so that this will be less painful." Amy said. Serenity got up and found Darien's alcohol supply and brought a bottle of brandy to him. Darien took enough to get somewhat drunk, but he still had some of his wit with him.
"Here I go." Amy warned. She took the tweezers and pulled the bullet out of Darien's shoulder. The only sign of pain was Darien's hand squeezing Serenity's and his face twisting in pain. Soon the bullet was out and Amy had cleaned all the blood off of Darien's shoulder. She proceeded to stitch it up using her sewing kit. Serenity held Darien's hand the whole time and stroked his head.
"Now you're going to think I'm weak." Darien said whispering to Serenity.
"No, now I know that you're human like the rest of us." Serenity countered with a smile. "I'd love you no matter how strong you were."
"I love you too." Darien said. Darien was about to lean in for a kiss when he felt a slight, but painful tug on his shoulder.
"Done." Amy said happily. Darien groaned, but looked at his shoulder. He had to admit Amy did a pretty good job.
"Where did you learn how to do that?" Darien asked.
"My father would sometimes train with the army. My father would sometimes come home with stab wounds or other small injuries. I watched the healer stitch my father up as well as other men. When we first found out about guns I saw the healer treat the first man who was shot and was able to survive. Eventually I started helping with the healing so I know a trick or two." Amy explained.
"O, ok." Darien said.
"I'm going to go get everyone and see how we're doing." Amy said. She wiped her needle clean and replaced it back into the bag with other sewing items.
"How's the shoulder now?" Serenity asked rubbing her hand over the newly stitched wound.
"It hurts, but not as much." Darien said. "It's like a soft throbbing. It will be better soon and I've had worse stab wounds."
"Alright, do you want to lie down?" Serenity asked.
"Not yet, everyone should be coming in, in 5…4…3…2…"
"Darien, don't ever do that to us again!" Rei shouted rushing into the room.
"You're good." Serenity whispered into Darien's ear before Rei gave Darien a hug. Darien winced at the pressure on his shoulder so Rei pulled back.
"Oops, sorry." Rei said getting up. She returned to Jadeite's side.
"What happened to you after we left?" Nephrite asked. He sat down on the corner of the desk and pulled Lita between his legs and held her close.
"Emerald showed me to the throne room where Sapphire was waiting for us…" Darien explained.
"Who's Emerald?" Zoicite asked.
"She likes… I mean like Diamond. She helped everyone into the castle." Serenity explained.
"Why did you correct yourself?" Lita asked.
"We'll get to that, anyways…" Darien went on to recount the story of the sword fight and the end where Diamond had shot the gun and Serenity had killed Diamond by throwing a knife. He just "forgot" to mention how Darien was linked between his present self and his past.
"Wow Serenity, you actually killed someone." Lita said with a smile.
"Ya, well I had enough hatred within me from years back and I didn't want him to kill Darien." Serenity explained.
"That was so brave of you Serenity!" Mina said with a big smile.
"It was not I who was brave, but Darien." Serenity said smiling up at Darien.
"We'll leave you two to rest. It's been a big day. We're back on the open sea and there is no sign of any ship following us." Malachite said. Darien nodded and said his thanks as everyone left. All the girls gave a hug to Serenity as they left to go back onto the deck.
"Wow, the crew must have taken a liking to the girls." Serenity said as she watched the girls walk among the pirates without any fear.
"Amy and Rei helped out while you were gone. The crew took a liking to them and I guess they've come to accept the other girls as well." Darien said as he shrugged off his shirt. Serenity smiled and helped him with the shirt.
"I believe I'll be taking that nap now." Darien said with a smile.
"I do believe I'm tired as well." Serenity said returning Darien's smile. Darien lay down on the bed and wrapped his arms around Serenity's waist. Serenity let out a small squeak as Darien pulled her towards him.
"I missed this." He muttered into her hair.
"I missed you." Serenity whispered back. With Darien's arm draped around her waist Serenity finally felt safe and happy again.
"Mal, where are we headed?" Mina asked as she joined Malachite on the deck.
"Right now we're just sailing. The crew did go into town and raided some stores, but nothing big. Got some jewels and supplies is all."
"That's all? That sounds like everything you need."
"It is everything we need my dear. You must remember, we don't need much on a pirate ship." Mal said with a smile.
"So now that everyone's back together what's there to do?" Mina asked.
"There's always something to do. There's cleaning the deck, cleaning the galley, watching for other ships, steering, making sure the boat's in working condition, charting where we are… ow!"
"I meant in adventure terms. I want to do something again."
"Well, we never know when adventures like that come our way, but we're always on an adventure. If we weren't on one then why would we be pirates?"
"Ah… good point."
"Zoi, when we go into town can I get some more books?" Amy asked Zoicite when he entered their cabin.
"I don't know about buying, but I think I can pick up one or two." Zoicite answered with a smile.
"O yes, why would a pirate ever buy anything when he can steal?"
"Well, we do buy some things; beer and some food depending on where we are. We always have to buy things from Triste unless we want to get into a fight. Other towns, not so much because they aren't ruled by pirates." Zoicite explained. Amy nodded her head in understandment and went back to the small stack of books looking for something to do.
"Where's the next town we're headed to?" Amy asked.
"To tell you the truth we probably won't be going back to any town. Remember where Alan met us?" Zoicite asked. Amy nodded her head remembering that day and fight. "In that cave is a cove that we put all our things in, mostly the treasure we find."
"How does everyone stay out of it?" Amy asked.
"Most are scared of Darien for some reason or another. He created quite a reputation when he was just beginning to learn how to fight. The cave itself is tricky to get into as well. Lots of rocks and things that can sink a boat or at least get it stuck. We found the way and so we decided it would be a good place to keep the treasure we find."
"Well that makes sense." Amy said. "How long till we're there?"
"Probably about a week or so." Zoicite said. "If you can't find a book there's some paper and ink in the draw that you can use to write your own."
"Thanks Zoi." Amy said. She gave Zoicite a kiss before heading back to the desk to find the parchment and ink. Zoicite just smiled and turned back to the deck to make sure everything was fine.
"Rei? Rei where are you?" Jadeite called. He had searched the entire ship and could not find his love. Finally he spotted her up in the crows nest away from everyone. "Rei? What are you doing up there?"
"Hm? I'm helping out." She called back.
"How did you get up there?"
"I climbed how else? Unless you're telling me there's an easier way up here. If there is I swear…"
"Don't worry, there's not, but how did you get up there in a dress?"
"Who said I was wearing a dress?" Rei replied. She stood up and Jadeite realized that she had borrowed some of his clothes and was now dressed in a white shirt and tight black pants and boots.
"You might want to get up there. The crew is staring at her." Nephrite said laughing at Jadeite's stunned, but admiring face.
"What? O ya. Hey you! Get back to work!" Jadeite yelled at one of the crewmen. The boy shook out of his stupor and started washing the deck like he was previously doing. Jadeite muttered a few things under his breath has he started climbing up to the crow's nest.
"Jadeite there isn't much room!" Rei shrieked.
"There's enough to fit two people." Jadeite said as he jumped over the side to join Rei. Rei ended up being trapped between Jadeite's chest and the wall of the box they were in. "I didn't say it would be comfortable though." Rei glared up at Jadeite as she tried to make herself more comfortable so she wasn't pressed up against some splintering wood. She didn't mind Jadeite though; she would never mind being this close to him ever.
"I can't believe the crew saw you in that." Jadeite muttered.
"What, would you rather them see me in a dress so they can see my undergarments?" Rei asked.
"Good point. Maybe I should keep you locked up so they can never see you." Jadeite said with a mischievous smile.
"You wouldn't dare!" Rei shrieked.
"You want to bet?" Jadeite asked. Jadeite's smile grew until he started laughing and he pulled Rei even closer to him. "I know I would never keep you inside behind closed doors. You'd probably break them down."
"That's for sure." Rei said as she relaxed onto Jadeite's chest. "Jed, can I take part of the look out position? I like it up here? Plus if I climb up here everyday then you won't have to worry about everyone because they'll be used to seeing me in these clothes."
"Hm, that is a good point. Alright, for now borrow my clothes, but in the next town I'll try and find you something that fits you more." Jadeite said.
"Thanks Jadeite!" Rei wrapped her arms around Jadeite's neck and into his hair as she pulled his head down to meet hers in a kiss. Hollers were heard from the deck below making Rei and Jadeite smile into their kiss.
"Get back to work you pirate scum!" Jadeite yelled down to everyone. He could tell everyone was laughing at them. "Gregory is taking the next shift in a couple hourse. He'll come up to relieve you of your new duty. And as one of your captains, I order you to come find me when you're relieved."
"You do know that I'm not going to take orders right?" Jadeite was about to say something when Rei placed a finger on his lips to stop him. "But I will do that one." Jadeite just smiled and kissed Rei's finger before he climbed back down to the deck.
"Lita, I don't know how you cook so much." Nephrite said as he walked into the galley where Lita was cooking.
"I like to cook and I hate being bored. It's simple really." Lita explained as she chopped up some potatoes.
"How can you cook anything with just these potatoes and some old bread and wine?" Nephrite asked as he picked up a potato.
"Look in that cupboard." Lita said as she pointed to a cupboard behind her. Nephrite did as he was told. To his surprise, inside the cupboard was chicken, pork, and a couple pieced of steak.
"How did you get all this? How are you going to keep it all?" Nephrite asked.
"Well, for one, I stole the steaks from Diamond. The other stuff I told your little cabin boy to go get some things and he was more than eager too. He's a good little pirate you know."
"Who? Jeffery? He'll be a great pirate some day." Nephrite agreed. "Make this a surprise to Darien by the way. He doesn't usually let the crew bring fresh meet on board. He gives us jerky and all, but fresh meet usually goes bad."
"Well I have a remedy for that. It's won't last long, but it will work."
"And that would be?" Lita smiled and cleaned her knife and hands before walking over to the cabinet where Nephrite was standing. She gently picked up some of the chicken and pointed under it. Under all the meet was a layer of ice keeping it cool. "That was a great idea."
"Thank you. Next time we reach a town can you get some glass plates from someone please? It will keep the ice from warping the wood." Lita explained.
"Of course. Now what are you cooking tonight?" Nephrite asked as he pulled Lita to his chest.
"I'm not telling you! You have to find out like everyone else."
"I think the crew really likes you." Nephrite said as he nuzzled Lita's neck. "You cook way too much for them and they think they're getting spoiled!"
"They deserve a good meal once in a while with everything you put them through!" Lita laughed.
"I guess they do. I've got to go make sure they're all working so they deserve this dinner." Nephrite said. He placed a soft kiss on Lita's cheek before walking out of the galley and back onto the deck.
oOoOoOo
Castle Ceinlys
"King Seamus, there is news from Diamond's castle." A messenger said as he walked into the throne room. Seiya and his brothers were seated at a table to the side with Seamus and Selene in the middle of the room on their thrones.
"What news?" Seamus asked. Before the messenger could say anything a boy walked trying to control his breathing.
"My lord, I have a message from Prince Sapphire." The boy said. "He says that… that Serenity was there at the castle."
"Is she alright? Has Diamond done anything? What has happened to my daughter?" Selene asked.
"There was a fight between Diamond and the pirate captain Darien. Diamond was going to kill Darien when Serenity rushed for them and stabbed Diamond in the back. Serenity was helping the pirate out when Diamond shot Darien in the shoulder. Serenity got mad and threw a dagger at Diamond killing him." The boy explained.
"My daughter killed someone?" Seamus asked.
"Aye my lord."
"O dear god." Selene whispered as she sat back down.
"Where is she now?" Seamus asked.
"She's with the pirates on the ship The Sea Cobra. There are four other girls with her, two of which were her companions when she was leaving here with Diamond. Sapphire also says that it appears as though Serenity loves Darien. He believes she did what she needed to do."
"That she did. Thank you. Rest here and get something to eat then you can leave tomorrow on a fresh horse."
"Thank you my lord."
When the man left, Seamus put his head in his hands and Selene patted his back. "How can she be in love with a pirate when she promised that she wouldn't love anyone, but Endymion?" Selene said.
"Where's the Commodore?" Seamus asked.
"I am right here sir." A man stepped through a back door and approached the thrones.
"Lucas, when will the ships be ready?" Seamus asked.
"They can be ready at any time. We just need your order and we can leave." Lucas said.
"Go find the pirates and bring my daughter to me. I don't care what you do just don't hurt my daughter or the other women aboard the ship. Do you understand?"
"Aye sir."
"Wait, Commodore Lucas, don't hurt the pirates. Bring them in as prisoners. I want to know what's so special about him that has my daughter staying with him." Selene said.
"You heard her." Seamus said.
"We will be ready to go within an hour's time." Lucas said.
"Very good, you can go." The man bowed and left to go get the ships ready.
"How long will you be staying Lord Seiya?" Selene asked.
"I just wish to speak to Serenity one more time. If that is alright with you?" Seiya said getting up from the table.
"Yes it is fine. She should be back soon hopefully." Selene said. "Now, if you'd excuse us. I believe my husband owes me a walk through our gardens. We will see you gentlemen tonight at dinner."
"Thank you're your highness." Seiya and his brothers bowed as Selene and Seamus walked out of the room and out into the gardens.
oOoOoOo
At Diamond's Castle
"They killed him!" Emerald screamed. Sapphire was now seated where his father and brother once sat in the throne.
"And he was going to kill Darien. If Darien had died then Serenity would have been kept here and you would never have had Diamond at all. For you it would have been a lose, lose situation." Sapphire said. He was beginning to get tired of Emerald's complaining. He knew that someone would have died and was actually happy it was his brother and not Darien nor Serenity.
"What am I supposed to do now? Just stand around knowing Diamond is dead and the people who killed him are out sailing the seas where we can get them!" Emerald screamed.
"Why don't you go back and live with your sister in the middle of that damned forest? That way no one will have to hear you wine and you and your sister can complain about anything the two of you want." Sapphire said.
"Why you!" Emerald stamped her foot and looked as though she was going to blow up.
"I'll give you are horse. Go live with you sister Beryl and never show your face here again." Sapphire growled. Emerald just huffed and made a dramatic exit. Soon horse hooves were heard and Emerald was never seen from again.
