Vacation Album: Kaguya Island

Chapter 3

High above the Earth, sitting on a large meteorite just within the planet's orbit, a figure cloaked in a dark robe, his head adorned with a horned-helmet, looked down at the glowing blue orb. "How long are you going to make me beg, Princess?" the dark figure asked himself. "Will this be the year you finally accept my proposal?"


The sun peaked over the horizon; its rays struck the sleepy castaways on the tropical island. One face turned toward it, in his semi-sleep. Darien groaned and stretched slowly. Sleeping on the ground always sounds a lot more comfortable than it is, no matter how exhausted you are. Despite tight and aching muscles, he wanted to go back to sleep but his bladder kicked him in the gut. With some urgency, he stood and hurried to a somewhat secluded area to take care of himself.

When he returned, he carefully prepared the morning fire; despite their care all that was left were cold ashes from the night before. While his hands worked, his eyes were just as busy. Finally, he could take a good look. This was the island of his dreams, literally. He pondered what that could possibly mean for him. Was there was really a princess on this island looking for a prince who could break a curse for her?

The smell of the burning wood and the crackle of the flame brought the others around one by one. Ami and Zoisite were the first two to join him. Zoisite had his arm around Ami as the early morning breeze blew across the ocean and over to them with a chill. Lita and Sapphire joined them next. Darien tried his best not to groan audibly as Serena and Diamond joined them around the fire already cuddling for warmth.

"Wow, would you look at that sunrise!" Serena said with a look of awe. Habitually oversleeping usually meant missing out on such a sight.

Diamond cuddled her closer in silent agreement. He nuzzled her mussed meatballs, thinking that they were possibly the most beautiful things on Earth.

Darien stood. "One or two of us should look for food. I'll go do it."

Sapphire was about to get up and join his friend but by the discreet look the Darien sent him, he realized that Darien was really going for some alone time.

Darien walked slowly into the jungle, scarcely looking for the needed food. Only when he guessed he had come far enough into the dense foliage for a little privacy did he dare to voice the anger and jealousy that he still fought to overcome. "Damn it!" He kicked at the ground beneath his feet. "Why! Why can't I stop feeling this way? She doesn't love me anymore. It's over for us. I know that! I've accepted it. Why can't I move on?"

The crackle of foliage behind him alerted him and he could think of only one who would disturb him. "I'm okay Serena," he said.

The blonde sighed, popping out from behind some bushes. "No you're not. Stop being such a tough guy all the time. You should talk to someone."

"Who? You?" Darien snapped. "You're the one who dumped me for Prince Perfect." He immediately regretted his outburst when he saw her eyes go cold.

"Well excuse me Mr. Pity Party, but I'll remind you that you dumped me first," Serena snapped back. Raye had warned her that Darien was still having a hard time and had advised her that while she shouldn't condemn him, she shouldn't she let him get away with that attitude, either. The very reason she had wanted him to come on this vacation was his moping. Spending time together in a group would give them the chance to reconnect, only this time just as friends rather than lovers. "Now I know you thought you were protecting me but that doesn't change how much it hurt. It doesn't wipe away all the tears I cried over you. It doesn't give me back the sleep I lost spent praying for you to take me back."

Darien looked away in shame. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I don't know what to do. Despite everything, I still love you... but..."

Serena sighed. "Darien," she began until he suddenly covered her mouth with his hand, his eyes darting hither and thither among the trees and the brush of the jungle. Several tense moments later, he slowly removed his hand although he kept his eyes trained on the trees suspiciously. "What is it?" she whispered.

"I could have sworn I felt someone watching us," Darien explained,. "and I heard something too... But, it's gone now, whatever it was."

"Do you think it was good or bad?" she asked.

He shook his head. "Now how would I know?" he ruffled her hair in an almost brotherly fashion. "Come on, let's find that..." he turned to lead them deeper into the jungle and saw a basket laden with food almost at their feet. "Now I know we were being watched," he said.

Darien bent down to inspect the food. The basket contained two good-sized loaves of golden brown bread, tropical fruits of all kinds, six large fish and three full skins of some liquid, presumably water. Upon first inspection, the contents appeared safe enough.

Knowing she was likely starving, Darien handed her a bright orange fruit, a loquat. "Here, to hold you over until we get back to camp."

Serena smiled gratefully but placed the fruit back with the others. "Thank you, but I can wait. It wouldn't be right to eat without the others. They're just as hungry as I am. Come on, let's go." She turned and led the way back.

She missed Darien's astonished looked. She was turning down food. She was doing... the responsible thing? A month ago she would have been wolfing down the whole basket unless he scolded her, never thinking of anyone else's groaning belly. How had she grown so much in such a short amount of time?

Finally, he just sighed and followed back down the path, casting one last wary look into the jungle. Who or what had supplied this food? And why?


Three kittens with jewels around their necks sat in the brush. They had done as their lady goddess asked and now they watched the strangers take the food they had delivered and walked off. One of the kittens was a tawny tiger cat, striped orange on orange. Around his neck was a ruby, glistening bright red in the thin ray of sunlight that came through the canopy of the trees. Another was white with black and brown patches, an emerald shining from its neck. The third was white with black spots and around his neck was a beautiful blue sapphire.

"Did you see them, Mikku?" squealed the tawny kitten. "What were they wearing?"

"Yeah they looked so strange Kukku," The black and brown spotted one replied with barely constrained laughter at the strangers' garments.

"I wonder where they come from," Fukku pondered aloud. "And why Kon said to help them."

"And who they are," Mikku added. "Should we tell the Princess about them?"

Kon considered. "Kon didn't say to, but she should know. Soon he'll be coming again," the kitten shuddered at the thought of his impending arrival.

Fukku, in agreement, turned and began bounding off. "Last one there's a rotten octopus!"

AN: So sorry for the wait on this chapter. It's been a tough summer and autumn for me.