Chapter 2: Rini goes home
A couple of weeks passed and Serena eventually got over Darien's leaving to America. And besides, he called her almost every night to check in on her and to tell her that he loved her and that she was constantly in his thoughts. And of course, he was in hers too.
Serena got home to find Rini cleaning out her room.
"Hey, Squirt. What's going on?" She asked as she noticed that most of Rini's stuff was now in boxes scattered around the room.
"I'm going home." She said as she packed her more personal items in the rabbit shaped bag that Darien had bought for her when she had been friends with Hotaru.
"Home? You mean back to the future with your mom and dad?" Serena asked.
Rini nodded. "My training with you guys is finished now and I really miss Darien. So I'm going to the future so I can be with him."
Serena smiled. "I understand." Her voice was thick as she realized that she too missed Darien very much. It made her sad that Rini could just go off and see him while she had to wait for him to return. "Well, we'll really miss you, Rini." Inside, Serena's heart was breaking all over again. First Darien and now Rini. Was she going to lose everyone she cared about? Were the girls going to leave her too? "When are you leaving?"
"Well, I figured I'd leave the day after tomorrow. Since it's already late today and I want to hang out with you guys one last time before I go." Said Rini as she finished packing. This brought a real smile to Serena's face just before she fell to her knees and gathered her future daughter in her arms.
"Oh, Rini." She sobbed as she held her close in her arms and Rini returned the hug.
Later that night, Darien called and Serena was quick to answer the phone. "Hello? Tsukino residents! This is Serena speaking!" She said, trying to stay chipper.
"Hey Serena. How was your day?" Darien asked.
"Darien! Oh well, I got a C on my English test, Ray yelled at and told me to work harder. I went to the arcade, bought a new comic book and a new dress. Hmm…what else? Oh…" Her voice trailed off.
"What it is?" Darien asked, noticing her hesitation to continue.
"Rini's going home the day after tomorrow. She said she misses you so she's going to the future so she can be with you in the future."
"I see." They both went silent as they both tried to think of something to say.
"Darien, it feels like everyone is leaving me. First you and now Rini. I just…I don't want to be alone." She was starting to cry so she pulled out Darien's handkerchief and wiped her face. "Darien, why can't you come back sooner?" She sniffled.
"I'm sorry, Serena." He said. "But I don't think everyone is leaving you. The girls are still with you right?"
"Uh-huh. But for how long? Amy wants to become a good doctor. Maybe she'll leave next. And Lita wants to improve her fighting skills, she might leave too. And Mina and Ray…It's only a matter of time before I'm the only one left here."
"Oh, Serena. Don't be like that. I'm sure you guys will stay friends forever no matter how far apart you are. Just look at you and me. We still have close ties and I'm all the way over here. Cheer up. I'll be back before you know it. I have to leave for class now, but I'll talk to you again tomorrow."
"Class? At this hour?" Serena asked.
"Time difference, Serena. Now go get some sleep."
"Alright. Goodnight, Darien."
"Goodnight, Serena." They hung up and Serena headed off to bed.
The next day, Rini broke the news to the other girls about her leaving and they all decided to throw her a little farewell party.
"Here, Rini. I made a CD with all my new songs on it for you." Said Ray. They were all at her temple with music playing and Lita's yummy snacks to munch on.
"I made you a special goodie bag of some of your favorite treats, Rini." Said Lita as she handed over her gift.
"I got you a book, Rini. Never stop reading more material." Said Amy.
"I went out and bought you a new dress. I hope you like it." Mina said.
"Wow! It's so pretty! Thank you, girls." Rini said as she placed the items in a bag that she planned to take with her home. "Serena?" She asked, wondering what she might have gotten for her. Serena handed her a small homemade photo album without saying a word. Rini flipped through it and found dozens of pictures with her, Serena, Darien, and the scouts. Her eyes teared up and she quickly wiped them. "Thank you, Serena. I will treasure this forever." Serena smiled then shoved a cake in her mouth.
"Serena! Lita made those for all of us!" Ray fussed at her. "I swear, you're going to turn into a pig!" Everyone laughed and lightened up the mood. It was just what everyone needed.
The next day came too soon for all of them as they all said their final farewells to Rini with hugs and love.
"Don't worry, you guys. In a few short years, you'll have me back." She giggled before she pulled out her key and teleported herself. After she was completely gone, they all made their way back to Ray's temple, their minds lingering on the last thing Rini had said until Serena suddenly stopped with a huge blush on her face and the rest of them caught on fast and laughed the rest of the way to the temple.