A/N: A recent review brought up a question of when my story takes place. I hope this chapter clears that up. The reviewer had several more questions and I hope to answer them. It's been twelve years since the battle against Chaos, which puts Serena and the inner scouts at 26 years old. Serena has spent three years finishing high school, six years traveling to see the world she's destined to one day rule with her scouts and prince, the remaining three years were spent in college and training for whatever threat she would have to defeat to create Crystal Tokyo. Though she and the scouts are stronger than they were in Stars, Serena and the others have not yet reached their strongest level. This story takes place in and around Tokyo, though I will likely use locations used in the original anime more often than not since I don't know the area at all. As for if there is more to the story line than what is in the summary, you will have to read to find out. As with all fan fictions, I do not own the characters or any part of the story line from before my story takes place, I just own my ideas and my own original characters that may or may not be introduced. Hope that clears up any confusion and that you enjoy the chapter.
You Know You Love Me,
XOXO,
Alyss
Chapter Seven
"Welcome everyone, and thank you for joining us this evening as we raise money for the Ogasawara Children's Home," Celine began her speech with an ease that spoke volumes about her education and self confidence, but still Darien noted a slight sadness in her voice, so subtle that the scouts and the other guests seemed to not notice. "The home was the last project my late father steer-headed before the accident that took him and my mother from my little sister, Nehelenia, and I and is therefore, very close to both of our hearts. Currently, there are 139 orphaned children living in the home. They receive consoling, the best education we can provide them, well balanced diets, athletic programs, and music and arts programs. We strive to give them the best lives we can while they are in the home so that they may achieve their potential and have the best possible futures. We keep in touch with all the children we place into homes and all the children receive scholarships should they pursue furthering their education. I am pleased to say that, since it's founding ten years ago, the Ogasawara Children's Home has helped 2569 children find their new families, overcome great loss, and become productive adults in our society. Tonight all proceeds from the ticket sales and date auction will go directly to helping with home maintenance, clothing, health supplies, and everything else that makes this home the success it has come to be over the past ten years. Additional donations are welcomed and be accepted only by those collecting your tickets. The auction will begin in about an hour so please eat, mingle, dance and enjoy the music. Now I will hand the stage over to the people you really want to hear from. Please join me in welcoming the Three Lights!"
Darien watched as Celine left the stage and hugged the New Moon Queen and Trista, before she and Nehelenia, once again hand-in-hand, started greeting their guests. A strange shot of jealousy went through him as the heiress easily chatted with all her guests while in the company of a women he'd only known as an enemy. He couldn't understand why Serena would agree to have her aunt protected by the same scouts she'd asked to protect her, especially after all her aunt had done to them. Though Pluto had made it clear not to press the issue, he knew he needed more information on the matter. Which is exactly what he asked Michelle, Lita, and Mina to do one their dates with the Starlights.
"And that concludes the date auction." Trista announced, having been the auctioneer to the main event of the evening. Celine stood with her sad always present sad eyes gazing up at one of her most trusted scouts as the other trusted scout's arm was loosely wrapped around her waist. " The lucky guests who have won a date with any one of our lovely volunteers have also won one dance with their date this evening. Thank you all for your generosity tonight and please enjoy the rest of your night."
Celine turned to the scout who had won a date with her, her eyes quickly catching Seiya's as he turned to lightly converse with Michelle, who had won the date with him. As she stared up into the deep navy blue eyes of the scout that never failed her, who put her well being above even the mission, she found it hard not to hug her close friend and blow her cover.
"Seiya tells me that you're close to the man who accused me of being his missing girlfriend, Miss Tenoh, I hope you don't intend on doing the same."
"You know who I am?"
"Aunt Trista speaks of her famous friends, Amara Tenoh who drives race cars for a living, Michelle Kaiou the world renowned concert violinist, and their adopted daughter, Hotaru, often and quite fondly. How could I not know who you are?"
"Funny, I don't remember her mentioning you."
"My parents deaths happened two years after you graduated high school, three years after Trista. You meet up whenever she returns from her travels but she's maybe here three months of the year. I was eleven when my parents died, my sister only two, Nehelenia got to travel with her until she reached school age, I returned to boarding school and summer camps for future business leaders. Our lives were kept private, as was the fact that Trista was our guardian and the COO of my company. Do you really think she'd put our privacy at risk to talk to you about us at the cafe?"
"I suppose not. And I'm sorry about Darien. Though I'm closer to Serena than I am him, he's taken her disappearance hard."
"And you haven't?"
"I'm worried about her," Amara admitted as a soft slow song began and she extended a hand to lead the young heiress onto the dance floor. "But I trust her, if she says she needs this time, then she does. I just hope she knows that if she needs me, that I'm just a phone call away."
"I'm sure she does," Celine replied looking away and meeting Yaten's concerned gaze as he danced with Mina. "I'm sure she does."
"So when do you want to do this date?"
"Two days time. Trista will email you where and when to meet."
